Two men appear in court over alleged plot to carry out Islamic State-inspired attack designed to cause ‘multiple fatalities using automatic weapons’ against Jewish community in North West

From the Manchester Evening News and the London Evening Standard

Two men who allegedly plotted to carry out an Islamic State-inspired gun attack against the Jewish community have appeared in court.

Walid Saadaoui, 36, of Crankwood Road, Abram, Wigan, and Amar Hussein, 50, of no fixed abode, are accused of plotting a terror attack designed to cause “multiple fatalities using automatic weapons” in the North West of England, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday.

The two men had also intended to target law enforcement and military as part of the “Isil or Daesh-inspired terrorist attack”, prosecutors alleged. Both are charged with the preparation of terrorist acts between December 13 2023 and May 9 2024.

Bilel Saadaoui, 35, of Fairclough Street, Hindley, also appeared before the court accused of making arrangements for Walid Saadaoui – who is his brother – after his death. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism between the same dates.

The men were arrested last week after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) executed four warrants in Bolton, Great Lever, Abram and Hindley. District Judge Louisa Cieciora remanded all three men into custody to appear at the Old Bailey on May 24.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said the details of the case “will be understandably distressing and likely to have a significant impact on the communities within the Greater Manchester and beyond”.

District Judge Louisa Cieciora remanded all three men into custody to appear at the Old Bailey on May 24.