Three men have faced charges for allegedly attacking an Islamic education center, using a gun made by a 3D printer. Brogan Stewart, Marco Pitzettu, and Christopher Ringrose, whose ages range from 24 to 33, faced the Westminster Magistrates’ Court through a video link. They did not enter a plea and remained in custody until their hearing on March 15. The three accused had been arrested on February 20 after their East-England homes underwent a search during a pre-planned operation led by the Counter Terrorism Policing North East that involved intelligence.
According to the charges, the three men worked together to prepare an act of terrorism. They used instructions from the internet to acquire plans for a 3D-printed firearm that they subsequently manufactured, an FGC-9 semi-automatic pistol, and identified possible targets for attack. In earlier conversations, the defendants were understood to have discussed launching an attack on an Islamic Education Centre located in Leeds, according to prosecutor Mark Luckett, who commented during the hearing.
Mr. Stewart, originally from Leeds, had previously served as a military cadet. The other accused, Mr. Pitzettu, is from Derby, while Mr. Ringrose is from Cannock, Staffordshire. A 46-year-old man from Leicester was also arrested in connection to the investigation, although he was later released without charge.
The use of homemade guns has raised concerns in some western countries due to the ease of availability and manufacture of 3D printed guns. These weapons have therefore made their way into the radicalisation process, but their impact on the threat of terrorism in each country remains debatable
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