Life sentences for foiled Manchester Jewish terror plot

Two men have been jailed for life after a plan for a mass firearms attack targeting Greater Manchester’s Jewish community was stopped by an undercover operative.

Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday after being convicted of preparing acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024. Saadaoui was ordered to serve a minimum of 37 years. Hussein was ordered to serve at least 26 years.

Saadaoui’s younger brother, Bilel Saadaoui, was jailed for six years for failing to disclose information about the plot.

A plan aimed at Greater Manchester’s Jewish community

Prosecutors said the men had sworn allegiance to Islamic State and planned a marauding firearms attack, with targets linked to the Jewish community in and around Manchester.

The court heard the plan included attacking a large public march in Manchester city centre and then moving to areas of north Manchester with a significant Jewish population.

Under UK law, “preparation of terrorist acts” covers steps taken to carry out terrorism, even if an attack is stopped before weapons are used.

How an undercover operative broke the plot

The plot was disrupted after Saadaoui made contact online with a man he believed was a fellow extremist. In reality, the contact was an undercover operative, known in court as “Farouk”, who infiltrated jihadist networks and gained Saadaoui’s trust.

Police said Saadaoui arranged the purchase and delivery of weapons and carried out reconnaissance. The operative supplied weapons that had been deactivated as part of the sting.

Saadaoui was arrested on 8 May 2024 during a counter-terror operation involving more than 200 officers as he attempted to take possession of firearms and ammunition in a hotel car park in Bolton, according to reporting and police statements.

Reconnaissance trips and target checks

Investigators said Saadaoui and Hussein travelled to the Port of Dover to scope how weapons could be smuggled into the UK. They also carried out reconnaissance in Greater Manchester, including visits to areas linked to the Jewish community.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the plan involved multiple high-powered weapons and large quantities of ammunition.

The judge’s warning about potential casualties

Sentencing the pair, Mr Justice Mark Wall said the plot, if carried out, would likely have been among the deadliest terrorist attacks on UK soil, with the potential to kill and injure large numbers of people.

Greater Manchester Police praised the undercover operative’s role, saying the operation prevented a catastrophic attack and involved significant risk.

What happens next for the three men

The life sentences mean Saadaoui and Hussein will remain in prison for at least their minimum terms before they can apply for release, which would still be subject to strict parole conditions.

Bilel Saadaoui’s sentence reflects a separate offence: failing to disclose information that could help prevent an act of terrorism.

The case is likely to renew scrutiny of the threat to Jewish communities in the UK and the role of covert operations in stopping plots before they reach the point of attack.