Two Men Sentenced to Life for Thwarted Terror Plot Targeting Manchester's Jewish Community
Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for planning what could have been one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in UK history, targeting Greater Manchester's Jewish community. The plot was foiled by an undercover operative who infiltrated their network.
Sentences Handed Down at Preston Crown Court
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were sentenced on Friday at Preston Crown Court after being found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024. Both men had sworn allegiance to Islamic State and planned a marauding firearms attack.
Saadaoui, the prime mover in the plot, was ordered to serve a minimum of 37 years. The Tunisian-born former Italian restaurant owner and hotel entertainer from Abram, Wigan, arranged for the purchase and delivery of semi-automatic rifles, conducted reconnaissance, and identified targets.
Hussein, of no fixed address, was ordered to serve at least 26 years. The Bolton-based Kuwaiti national, who is believed to have served in Saddam Hussein's army, was recruited by Saadaoui to assist with the planned attack.
Saadaoui's younger brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 37, of Hindley, Wigan, received a six-year prison sentence for failing to disclose information about the terror plan. All three defendants had denied the offences during a trial lasting almost three months last year.
Undercover Operation Prevents Deadly Attack
The plot was thwarted by an undercover operative known as Farouk, who had infiltrated jihadist social media networks and convinced Saadaoui that he was a fellow extremist. The operative was supplying the weapons to the plotters.
Saadaoui was arrested in a major counter-terrorism operation involving more than 200 officers on May 8, 2024. He was apprehended in the car park of the Last Drop hotel in Bolton as he attempted to take possession of two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol, and almost 200 rounds of ammunition. All weapons had been deactivated by authorities.
Detailed Planning and Reconnaissance
The court heard that Saadaoui hero-worshipped Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Islamic State terrorist who orchestrated the 2015 Paris attacks that killed 130 people. Saadaoui had been considering a lone knife attack for years but escalated his plans after the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023.
The pair planned to disguise themselves as Jews and attack an antisemitism march in Manchester city center before heading to suburbs north of the city, home to one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. Their reconnaissance included:
- Travelling to Dover, Kent, in March 2024 to conduct surveillance on how weapons could be smuggled through the port
- Visiting Prestwich and Higher Broughton to scout Jewish nurseries, schools, synagogues, and shops
- Securing a safe house in Bolton for weapon storage
Judicial Response and Police Statements
Sentencing the defendants, Mr Justice Wall stated that if the plot had succeeded, it would "likely have been one of the deadliest terror attacks ever carried out on British soil." He emphasized that their plan involved discharging AK-47s into a large crowd of unarmed marchers, with 120 bullets available before reloads would be required.
Robert Potts, assistant chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said after last year's verdicts that the plot "could potentially have been the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history" given the weaponry involved. He praised the undercover operative's courage, bravery, and professionalism, stating that Farouk "undoubtedly saved lives."
Following the sentencing, Sir Stephen Watson, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, highlighted the ongoing threats faced by Jewish communities in the UK. He noted that Jews "have more justification to be fearful than anybody else" and referenced recent terrorist incidents including the Manchester synagogue attack on Yom Kippur and events in Sydney.
Watson emphasized the global nature of the threat, stating: "If our Jewish communities are under threat we are all under threat." The case underscores the continuing challenges facing counter-terrorism efforts and the particular vulnerabilities of minority communities to extremist violence.
