Key Takeaways:
- Two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, have been found guilty of plotting to kill Jewish people in a terror attack in Greater Manchester.
- The attack would have been the UK’s worst terror attack if it had not been thwarted by an undercover operative who infiltrated the plotters.
- The plotters were Islamist extremists with a "visceral dislike" of Jewish people and had sworn allegiance to Islamic State.
- The attack was planned in response to the outbreak of war in Gaza and was intended to target the Jewish community in Greater Manchester.
- The investigation and prosecution involved a highly trained witness who gathered evidence from the plotters and prevented the attack from taking place.
Introduction to the Plot
The UK has narrowly avoided what could have been its worst terror attack in history, thanks to the bravery and professionalism of an undercover operative who infiltrated a group of Islamist extremists. Two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, have been found guilty of plotting to kill as many Jewish people as they could in a marauding attack in Greater Manchester. The plotters, who had sworn allegiance to Islamic State, were motivated by a "visceral dislike" of Jewish people and had planned their attack in response to the outbreak of war in Gaza.
The Investigation and Infiltration
The investigation into the plot was complex and involved the use of an undercover operative who had infiltrated jihadist social media networks. The operative, known to the plotters as Farouk, had gained the trust of Walid Saadaoui and had convinced him that he was a fellow extremist. Saadaoui had arranged for the purchase and delivery of semi-automatic rifles and had conducted reconnaissance on potential targets. However, unbeknownst to him, the weapons were being supplied by Farouk, who was working to gather evidence and prevent the attack from taking place.
The Arrest and Trial
Saadaoui was arrested in a police sting as he attempted to take possession of two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol, and almost 200 rounds of ammunition at a car park in Bolton. The trial, which lasted almost three months, heard that Saadaoui had spoken of his connections to Islamic State and had discussed the best methods for conducting the operation with Farouk. The jury was also told that the plotters had planned to carry out the attack in the summer, when more people would be out and about, in order to maximize the number of casualties.
The Consequences of the Plot
The consequences of the plot, if it had been successful, would have been devastating. The attack would have targeted the Jewish community in Greater Manchester, which is one of the largest in Europe. The chief constable of Greater Manchester police, Stephen Watson, described the plot as "an affront to all decent people in our country" and thanked officers and prosecutors for their work in preventing the attack. The assistant chief constable, Robert Potts, said that the attack "could have been the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history" and praised the bravery and professionalism of Farouk, who had "undoubtedly saved lives".
The Reaction to the Verdict
The verdict has been welcomed by the Jewish community and by law enforcement officials, who have praised the work of the undercover operative and the investigators who worked to prevent the attack. The head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter-terrorism division, Frank Ferguson, said that the investigation and prosecution had "deployed a highly trained witness who made sure their plot did not succeed and secured valuable evidence directly from the mouths of the terrorists". The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by Islamist extremism and the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing terrorist attacks.
Conclusion
The plot to attack the Jewish community in Greater Manchester is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by Islamist extremism and the importance of preventing such attacks. The bravery and professionalism of the undercover operative who infiltrated the plotters and the investigators who worked to prevent the attack have undoubtedly saved lives. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing terrorist attacks and protecting vulnerable communities. The guilty verdicts against Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein serve as a reminder that those who plot to harm others will be brought to justice and that the UK will not tolerate such extremism.