Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism, with prosecutors describing a plot that, if carried out, would have been one of the deadliest in recent British history
A jury at Preston Crown Court has convicted two men of planning a large-scale terrorist attack against the
Jewish community in Greater Manchester.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism, with prosecutors describing a plot that, if carried out, would have been one of the deadliest in recent British history.
The duo was accused of answering a so‑called Islamic State “call to arms” and targeting Jewish people, particularly in areas of north Manchester known for their vibrant Jewish communities. Detectives were told the men harboured a “visceral dislike” of Jewish people and had been making preparations from late 2023 into the spring of 2024, as reported by the Guardian.
How the plot was foiled
The conspiracy began to unravel when Saadaoui tried to collect semi‑automatic rifles and ammunition from a man he believed was part of the extremist network.
In reality, the supplier was an undercover operative known as “Farouk,” who had infiltrated online channels where Saadaoui and Hussein communicated.
Saadaoui was arrested in May 2024 at a car park in Bolton as he attempted to retrieve two AK‑47 assault rifles, a semi‑automatic pistol and nearly 200 rounds of ammunition—weapons of the type used in the
2015 Paris attacks.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said the operation was “of almost unprecedented complexity” and could have led to unparalleled loss of life, according to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
In addition to the two guilty verdicts for planning acts of terror, Walid’s younger brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, was found guilty of failing to disclose what he knew to authorities. All three men were remanded and are due to be sentenced in February 2026.
End of Article
