Manchester terror plot targeting Jews thwarted as three men convicted
Extremists planned mass-casualty gun attack on Jewish targets in Greater Manchester
Two men who plotted to murder Jewish people in Greater Manchester have been found guilty of terrorism offences and a third convicted of failing to disclose information about the attack to the authorities, in a case police say prevented a potentially catastrophic attack on the Jewish community.
According to the Greater Manchester Police, Walid Saadaoui, 38 and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted at Preston Crown Court of preparing acts of terrorism after a jury heard they intended to “kill as many Jewish people as they could”. Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was convicted of of failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism.
The court was told Walid and Amar, described as Islamist extremists, were driven by a deep hostility towards Jews and had begun preparations for a marauding firearms attack. Prosecutors said the offences took place between December 2023 and May 2024.
Jurors heard that the men discussed potential targets, carried out reconnaissance and sought to obtain military-style weapons. Their plans were thwarted after Walid Saadaoui attempted to collect firearms from a man he believed was a fellow extremist, but who was in fact an undercover police officer.
Walid Saadaoui was arrested in May 2024 in the car park of a hotel in Bolton as he tried to take possession of two AK-47-style semi-automatic rifles, a pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition. The court heard the weapons were of the same type used in the 2015 Paris terror attacks, in which around 130 people were killed.
The undercover operative, known to the defendants as “Farouk”, had infiltrated jihadist online networks and gained Walid Saadaoui’s trust by posing as a like-minded extremist willing to supply weapons.
All three men denied the charges during a trial lasting almost three months. Jurors were told that the Saadaoui brothers and Hussein had previously sworn allegiance to Islamic State. Hussein, who has no fixed address, had earlier served in Saddam Hussein’s army in Iraq.
Following his arrest, Hussein told police: “Your government … your prime minister sent to Israel weapon to kill our children.”
The Crown Prosecution Service described Bilel as his brother Walid’s “confidant”, saying that he “shared his brother’s ISIS convictions, however he was reluctant to join in on an attack in the UK.
“Instead he offered to provide support for Walid Saadoui’s family after his death, holding a key for a safe which contained £70,000 of his brother’s money. He also had a copy of his brother’s will, in this way it was intended to protect Walid Saadaoui’s assets being seized by the police in the event of his death. Bilel Saadaoui denied the authorities the opportunity to stop the attack.”
Community Security Trust (CST) welcomed the convictions, saying the case underlined the continuing threat facing British Jews.
A CST spokesperson said: “CST welcomes the convictions of Walid Saadaoui, Bilel Saadaoui and Amar Hussein in relation to an Islamic State-inspired plot to carry out a mass casualty terrorist attack against Greater Manchester’s Jewish community, the largest Jewish community in the UK outside London, which thankfully was foiled by police.
“Islamist terrorism poses a grave threat to the safety of the Jewish community and, more widely, to society as a whole. CST will keep working with our partners to best protect British Jews from hatred and extremism.”
Manchester Jewish Representative Council said the verdict was a stark reminder of the danger posed by Islamist extremism.
A spokesperson said: “We welcome the conviction reached today at the conclusion of the terrorism trial in Preston. This followed the uncovering of a terrorist plot to commit a marauding attack designed to inflict mass casualties against the Jewish community. The list of locations referenced during the trial will be familiar to all Jewish people who reside in Greater Manchester.
“As we continue to deal with the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, this verdict is a stark reminder of the real threat Islamist extremism poses to our community and wider society. We cannot continue to build higher walls or impose further security protocols. The solution needs to address the root cause of what is driving the radicalisation of people here in the United Kingdom.
“We thank Greater Manchester Police and the security services for their tireless work, professionalism and commitment to keeping our community safe. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives and helped protect the Jewish community and wider public from harm. We once again reaffirm our determination to work with all key stakeholders to challenge hatred and confront extremism across Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions.”
A Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) spokesperson said: “We welcome the convictions of Walid Saadaoui, Amar Hussein, and Bilel Saadaoui for their roles in an Islamic State-inspired plot against the Jewish community of Manchester.
“The vital work of Greater Manchester Police thwarted their plans, saved many lives and ensured they would face trial. Had this plot been successful, it would have been one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has ever seen. The plotters considered synagogues, schools and nurseries as their potential targets.
“Just before their trial commenced, another Islamist attacked the Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur, killing two. We cannot continue to ignore the threat posed by Islamist extremists. A clear focus on countering this ideology is overdue.”
Counter-terrorism officers said the convictions had disrupted what could have been one of the most serious terror attacks ever attempted in the UK, with Jewish communities clearly identified as the intended target.
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
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