Three men have been brought before the court facing charges related to terrorism, following an alleged scheme to orchestrate a gun attack targeting the Jewish community
in the northwest of England.
Walid Saadaoui, aged 36, and Amar Hussein, aged 50, have been accused of preparing terrorist acts between December 13, 2023, and May 9, 2024.
Appearing in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court, Mr. Saadaoui, residing on Crankwood Road in Abram, and Mr. Hussein, who has no fixed address, did not enter a plea.
Meanwhile, Mr. Saadaoui's 35-year-old brother, Bilel, residing on Fairclough Street in Hindley, pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information about the alleged plans, showing evident distress during the proceedings.
Prosecutor Rebecca Waller informed the court that Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein had reportedly aimed to target the Jewish community in the North West of England, as well as members of law enforcement and the military, with inspiration drawn from the Islamic State group.
Each man appeared separately in the dock, dressed in grey tracksuits and accompanied by police and security personnel. Mr. Hussein, assisted by an Arabic interpreter, did not have legal representation and expressed indifference towards bail considerations.
Bilel Saadaoui's defense counsel, Angelo Saponiere, described his client as a "family man" who was unaware of the alleged plans.
District Judge Louisa Ciecóra remanded all three men in custody, with the case scheduled to be heard at the Old Bailey on May 24.
The arrests occurred on May 8, following the execution of four warrants in Bolton and Wigan by Greater Manchester Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts acknowledged the distressing nature of the case, stating that it could have a significant impact on communities within Greater Manchester and beyond. He emphasized the importance of ensuring safety for all regardless of religion or race, pledging continued collaboration with community groups and stakeholders.
Reassuring the public, he noted that the ongoing investigation was meticulously conducted, and there was no perceived broader risk to public safety related to the case. He encouraged individuals to report any safety concerns or suspicious activities to the police. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.