Two Men Convicted Over Foiled Plot to Kill Hundreds of Jews in UK, Potentially Deadliest Terror Attack Thwarted
Preston Crown Court jurors find defendants guilty of planning an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting targeting the Jewish community in Greater Manchester
Two men have been found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court for plotting a large-scale terrorist attack against the Jewish community in northwest England that investigators say would have been one of the deadliest in United Kingdom history.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism after prosecutors presented evidence that the pair intended to use automatic firearms to kill as many Jewish people as possible, drawing inspiration from Islamic State and its 2015 Paris attacks.
The court heard that the defendants, who had lived in the UK and openly espoused extremist views, planned a marauding gun assault in the Greater Manchester area, selecting targets within one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations.
Saadaoui is reported to have arranged for the purchase and delivery of multiple assault rifles, a semi-automatic handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Their preparations included reconnaissance of synagogues, schools and community gatherings over several months, according to trial testimony.
The plot was foiled in May 2024 after Saadaoui attempted to collect the planned weapons from an undercover counter-terrorism officer posing as an extremist sympathiser.
Greater Manchester Police and other security agencies intervened before any arms could be used, crediting the complex operation with saving countless lives.
During the trial, Saadaoui denied the charges and claimed he had engaged with the plot under duress, while Hussein largely refrained from testifying.
Saadaoui’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was also convicted at the same hearing of failing to disclose information that might have prevented the planning of terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts of Counter-Terrorism Policing in northwest England described the planned assault as a grave threat that, had it been carried out, “could have been one of, if not the, deadliest terrorist attacks in UK history.” The convictions come amid heightened concerns about extremist recruitment and ideological violence in Europe, with authorities warning that remnants of Islamic State and related networks continue to inspire individuals even years after the territorial defeat of the group’s so-called caliphate.
Sentencing for the defendants is expected in February, as British counter-terrorism officials emphasise ongoing vigilance and public safety measures in communities across the country.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism after prosecutors presented evidence that the pair intended to use automatic firearms to kill as many Jewish people as possible, drawing inspiration from Islamic State and its 2015 Paris attacks.
The court heard that the defendants, who had lived in the UK and openly espoused extremist views, planned a marauding gun assault in the Greater Manchester area, selecting targets within one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations.
Saadaoui is reported to have arranged for the purchase and delivery of multiple assault rifles, a semi-automatic handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Their preparations included reconnaissance of synagogues, schools and community gatherings over several months, according to trial testimony.
The plot was foiled in May 2024 after Saadaoui attempted to collect the planned weapons from an undercover counter-terrorism officer posing as an extremist sympathiser.
Greater Manchester Police and other security agencies intervened before any arms could be used, crediting the complex operation with saving countless lives.
During the trial, Saadaoui denied the charges and claimed he had engaged with the plot under duress, while Hussein largely refrained from testifying.
Saadaoui’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was also convicted at the same hearing of failing to disclose information that might have prevented the planning of terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts of Counter-Terrorism Policing in northwest England described the planned assault as a grave threat that, had it been carried out, “could have been one of, if not the, deadliest terrorist attacks in UK history.” The convictions come amid heightened concerns about extremist recruitment and ideological violence in Europe, with authorities warning that remnants of Islamic State and related networks continue to inspire individuals even years after the territorial defeat of the group’s so-called caliphate.
Sentencing for the defendants is expected in February, as British counter-terrorism officials emphasise ongoing vigilance and public safety measures in communities across the country.
