A man has been formally charged with four terrorism offences for allegedly assisting the individual who carried out a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue earlier this year.
Charges Authorised by CPS
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that Mohammad Bashir, aged 31, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday. He is accused of assisting Jihad al Shamie with reconnaissance of a UK defence facility prior to the synagogue assault.
Prosecutors were clear that the alleged assistance was not directly connected to the attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, on 2 October 2025. In that incident, Syrian-born UK citizen al Shamie, 35, drove a Kia Picanto into the synagogue gates before attacking worshippers with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt. Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed before armed police fatally shot al Shamie.
Details of the Allegations
Bashir faces one count of preparation of terrorist acts and three counts of sharing terrorist publications. The CPS alleges he shared material online with the intent to encourage acts of terrorism with al Shamie and others.
Frank Ferguson, chief crown prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated: "Our prosecutors have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Mohammad Bashir." He confirmed the charges followed a Counter Terrorism Policing North West investigation into Bashir's conduct in relation to al Shamie.
The British national, described by police as having a self-defined ethnicity of British Pakistani, was arrested at Manchester Airport on 27 November. He has been released without charge in direct connection to the synagogue attack itself but is remanded in custody for the other alleged offences.
Ongoing Counter-Terrorism Investigation
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts of Counter Terrorism Policing North West emphasised that the investigation into the attack remains active. "I would continue to appeal to anyone with information that could potentially be of assistance to please come forward," he said.
While Bashir now faces these serious charges, authorities stress the broader probe into the October atrocity is very much live. The collaboration between the CPS and counter-terrorism police highlights the continued effort to address all aspects of the case, from the direct attack to any preparatory activities.
