Two extremists have been found guilty of conspiring to launch a deadly firearm attack on a large gathering of Jewish people in the Greater Manchester area. The men, who held what the court described as a 'visceral dislike' of Jews, were convicted at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon, 23rd December 2025.
The Foiled Terror Plot
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were radicalised followers of the Islamic State (IS) ideology and were prepared to become martyrs for their cause. Their plan involved smuggling a significant arsenal into the United Kingdom with the intent to cause mass casualties. Police authorities stated the planned assault had the potential to become one of Britain's most lethal terrorist incidents.
The central figure, Saadaoui, a father-of-two originally from Tunisia, took concrete steps to acquire weapons. He aimed to bring into the UK four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns, and 900 rounds of ammunition. Months before the trial, he paid a deposit for these firearms, believing he was dealing with a fellow extremist.
How the Undercover Operation Unravelled the Plan
Unbeknownst to Saadaoui, his contact was actually an undercover operative (UCO), referred to in court as 'Farouk'. This operative successfully infiltrated the plot, allowing security services to monitor and ultimately prevent the attack. During their communications, Saadaoui also revealed he could independently source a firearm via Sweden and was exploring options to bring guns from Eastern Europe.
Evidence presented in court showed Saadaoui had taken practical steps to prepare for violence. He had purchased an air weapon and visited a shooting range, demonstrating his commitment to executing the attack.
Conviction and Community Impact
The jury returned guilty verdicts against both men after hearing how their hatred motivated them to plan 'untold harm'. The successful prosecution highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies and the critical role of covert police work in national security.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK, raising serious concerns about the targeting of religious groups. Security services have been praised for their intervention, which averted a potential tragedy.
