Two Extremists Sentenced to Life for Plotting Mass Shooting Against Jewish Community in Manchester
Two men have been handed life sentences totaling a minimum of 63 years in prison for conspiring to carry out a deadly gun attack on the Jewish community in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Walid Saadaoui, aged 38, and Amar Hussein, aged 52, were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism between December 13, 2023, and May 9, 2024.
Details of the Terrorist Plot and Extremist Ideology
Prosecutors revealed that the pair harbored a profound hatred of Jewish people and intended to execute a mass murder at a large community event where television presenter Rachel Riley was scheduled to speak. The extremists embraced an ideology linked to the Islamic State group, with Saadaoui identified as the mastermind behind the plot.
Saadaoui was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein received a life sentence with a minimum of 26 years. The court heard that Saadaoui actively sought to acquire four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns, and 900 rounds of ammunition to carry out the planned attack.
Investigation and Foiling of the Attack Plan
Saadaoui had previously drawn the attention of authorities by creating multiple Facebook profiles to disseminate extremist content. After recruiting Hussein, a Kuwaiti national, the duo traveled to Dover in March 2024 to assess potential methods for smuggling weapons into the country.
The plot was ultimately thwarted on May 8, 2024, when the men inadvertently disclosed details of their plans to an undercover operative who had infiltrated extremist online networks while posing as a fellow radical. Although no specific date had been finalized for the attack, prosecutors stated it was intended to target a march against antisemitism in the Manchester area.
Arrest and Sentencing Remarks
Saadaoui, a father of two originally from Tunisia, paid a deposit for firearms and was arrested at a hotel car park in Bolton while attempting to collect what he believed was a shipment of weapons. During sentencing, Justice Wall emphasized the severity of the planned attack, stating, “I am sure this would have led to the deaths of many people and serious injuries to many, many more. Your plan envisaged you and two others discharging AK-47s into a large crowd of marchers, who were unarmed and defenceless.”
Justice Wall further detailed the potential carnage, noting, “One hundred and twenty bullets could have been discharged before any reloads were required. You planned to have spare magazines available. Your attack would have led to the deaths of people of all ages, including children.”
Police Response and Broader Implications
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson highlighted the case as a stark reminder of the serious threats facing Jewish communities. He remarked, “We are seeing the manifestation of hatred moving beyond our shores globally and this is a threat to all of us. It is a threat to our Jewish communities, and if our Jewish communities are under threat, we are all under threat.”
The convictions underscore ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and the targeting of minority groups in the UK, with law enforcement agencies continuing to monitor and counteract extremist activities through coordinated efforts and intelligence operations.
