An Iranian-born chemistry student has appeared before Londonderry Magistrates Court charged with possessing an AK47 rifle and rounds of ammunition.

Amir Ali Esmaily, 25, from Lisburn Road in Belfast, is alleged to have committed the offences at a house in Derry on behalf of the Real IRA.

The defendant was released on bail of £5,000 and ordered to surrender his Iranian and Irish passports.

He must reside in Belfast before his next court appearance on 14 August.

A detective sergeant from the PSNI’s major investigation team told the court he opposed any type of bail.

The officer said the defendant was trained in firearms and said he believed the rifle had been used in Real IRA attacks

This should be seen as a disturbing development for every UK citizen. Dissident Irish terrorists, it now seems, have connections with militant Iranians. This latest development has been kept very quiet in the Ulster media. Again we see the face of political correctness and wonder why a foreign national caught with an AK47 and ammunition has been granted bail. Ulster BNP continues to watch with interest.