All-female terror plot accused appear in court in UK

Three women accused of plotting the UK’s first all-female terror attack have appeared in a court in London via video link from jail.

Mina Dich, 43, her 21-year-old daughter Rizlaine Boular, and another 20-year-old woman – Khawla Barghouthi – were charged in relation to the alleged planning of a suspected knife attack in Westminster area of London.

The trio appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday via video link from HMP Bronzefield, where they are being held in custody, The Independent reported.

The judge set their next hearing for October 23, with a provisional trial date set for November 27.

Boular was shot by armed police during a raid at a house in north London Willesden in April where Barghouthi was also arrested. Dich was arrested in Kent, outside London on the same day.

Boular was formally charged three days after being discharged from the hospital where she was treated for gunshot wounds.

Police said the operation foiled an “active terror plot” and the trio have been charged with the preparation of a terrorist act.

The three women are accused of conspiring together to murder “a person or persons unknown” between April 11 and 28.

Boular is also charged with “engaging in conduct in preparation” for terrorist acts between the same dates, while Dich and Barghouthi are charged with intending to assist her.

Both Boular and Dich have worn full-face Islamic veils during court appearances, lifting the coverings to show their eyes when requested, while Barghouthi wears a headscarf.