Alleged IS plotter ‘sought to cluster-bomb’ Manchester pro-Israel march, court hears

An alleged Islamic State supporter told an undercover operative his “primary target” was a pro-Israel march in Manchester, saying they would need “cluster bombs” to attack a crowd “full of Jews”, a jury has heard.

Walid Saadaoui, a Tunisia-born former restaurateur, is accused of planning a summer 2024 mass-casualty assault on the march before turning weapons on Jewish neighbourhoods in Prestwich, Cheetham Hill and Higher Broughton.

Manchester Crown Court was told Saadaoui took an undercover officer – known as “Farouk” – on a reconnaissance tour on 17 March 2024, walking past Jewish schools, synagogues and children playing outside. Jurors heard he referred to local Jews as merely “appetisers” ahead of attacking a march he said he wanted to broadcast live with a GoPro.

The operative recalled Saadaoui showing him Jewish community Facebook pages and photos from a January 2024 anti-antisemitism march attended by around 6,500 people –  which he allegedly identified as the key target. He was said to have praised Hitler and claimed Jews were “cowardly”, telling the officer: “My blood is boiling brother, let’s get out there.”

When counter-terrorism officers arrested Saadaoui in May 2024, he allegedly tried to flee. Police say they found two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition in his car, with further firearms and ammunition on order.

Prosecutors allege Saadaoui discussed disguising himself as a paramedic to avoid detection and to fire on responding officers. He is also accused of planning to hire a separate property to store weapons and maps away from his family home.

Saadaoui and co-defendant Amar Hussein deny preparing terrorist acts between December 2023 and May 2024, including weapons procurement and reconnaissance. His brother Bilel Saadaoui, 36, denies failing to disclose information relating to terrorism.

The defence argues Saadaoui was pressured by others and intended to sabotage the plot rather than carry it out.