Three Men Face Trial Over Alleged Manchester Jewish Terror Plot

Preston Crown Court is currently hearing the trial of three men accused of an Islamic State-inspired plot to carry out a gun attack on the Jewish community in Greater Manchester. The proceedings have revealed details of the alleged plan to acquire weapons and conduct reconnaissance, alongside testimony from one of the accused who claims he mistook his arrest for a kidnapping.

Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, both deny preparing acts of terrorism between December 13, 2023, and May 9, 2024. Walid's brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, has pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism during the same period. The prosecution alleges the plotters aimed to cause "untold harm" and kill as many people as possible, targeting areas with a large Jewish population, including nurseries and schools.

During his testimony, Bilel Saadaoui told the jury that when police arrested him, he believed he was being "abducted or kidnapped." He claimed six plainclothes officers "attacked and dragged him" to the floor in a gym in front of his stepson, stating he was "shocked and bewildered" to be told he was a suspected terrorist. Police bodycam footage of the arrest, showing his hands tied with zip ties, was presented to the court.

The prosecution, led by Harpreet Sandhu KC, asserts that Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein had a "visceral hatred of Jewish people" and planned to acquire assault rifles capable of killing hundreds. It was revealed that an undercover operative, whom the defendants believed to be a fellow extremist, played a role in foiling the plot. Images of the Manchester Jewish Museum were reportedly found on Hussein's phone, and Walid Saadaoui was arrested in a hotel car park in Bolton as he approached a vehicle containing two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol, and nearly 200 rounds of ammunition.

Walid Saadaoui's defense argues he was "playing along" with the operative due to threats from another individual and intended to sabotage any plot by eventually contacting the police. He denies being an ISIS supporter. The trial, which began in October, is ongoing at Preston Crown Court and is expected to last 12 weeks.