Two individuals who pledged allegiance to Islamic State and conspired to carry out a mass killing targeting Jewish people have been sentenced to life in prison. Walid Saadaoui, aged 38, and Amar Hussein, aged 52, devised a plan for a violent attack in Greater Manchester, a city with one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations. Law enforcement authorities believe this plot could have resulted in the deadliest terrorist attack in the UK if it had not been thwarted.
Saadaoui was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein received a life sentence with a minimum of 26 years. The judge criticized them for their lack of remorse and cowardice during the sentencing. The court learned that the duo drew inspiration from the 2015 terror attacks in Paris and responded to an Islamic State call to arms following the conflict in Gaza.
Described as fervent supporters of ISIS, Saadaoui and Hussein intended to use AK47 rifles to carry out a mass shooting targeting an unarmed Jewish crowd. The judge condemned their anti-Semitic motives, highlighting their clear intent to harm the Jewish community. The judge dismissed any claims of entrapment and emphasized the severity of the planned attack, which could have been one of the deadliest in British history.
In addition, Saadaoui’s brother, Bilal Saadaoui, was sentenced to six years for withholding information about terrorist activities. The court revealed that Saadaoui organized the acquisition and delivery of firearms but was unaware that the weapons supplier was an undercover agent named Farouk.
Prosecutors stated that the defendants were prepared to cause significant harm, with the potential to perpetrate one of the deadliest firearm-related attacks in the UK. The authorities lauded the successful prevention of this catastrophic event, emphasizing the profound impact it could have had on the community.
The plot was uncovered when Saadaoui attempted to take possession of assault weapons and ammunition in a sting operation at a hotel car park in Bolton. The weapons acquired were similar to those used in the Paris attacks. Following a trial that lasted nearly three months, Saadaoui and Hussein were found guilty of planning acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024.
The investigation revealed the plotters’ intentions to target schools and synagogues within the Jewish community. Farouk, the undercover operative, misled them into believing they had access to a cache of weapons, leading to their arrest in Dover. Fortunately, the weapons turned out to be deactivated firearms.
Law enforcement officials praised the successful intervention, preventing what could have been a devastating attack. The trial also exposed Saadaoui’s connections to Islamic State and his extensive planning for the assault. Despite efforts to shift blame, the court found both perpetrators guilty of the planned terrorist act.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by various organizations, emphasizing the significance of thwarting such extremist plans. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the importance of the investigation and the critical role of the undercover witness in securing evidence against the terrorists.
