Three people have appeared in court in London today after being arrested in Greater Manchester last week charged with targeting the Jewish community in the north-west of England inspired by ISIS
Two of the three Walid Saadaoui, 36, and Amar Hussein, 50, have been accused of planning an attack using guns and both entered no plea.
A third Bilel Saadaoui of Fairclough Street in Hindley, pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information about the alleged plans.
All three were remanded in custody with the case to be heard at the Old Bailey on 24 May.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds responsibility for counter terrorism policing in the north west, said: “Today’s first court appearance has outlined some concerning and distressing details about a suspected terrorist plot that we allege was being planned by suspects from Greater Manchester.
“Firstly, we know how significant the impact of this will be. Particularly for our Jewish community in Greater Manchester and across the country.
“We have worked closely with the Community Security Trust, community groups and key stakeholders prior to today’s hearing, and we will continue to update them and support them throughout the course of this case.
“The wider public will understandably be alarmed too.
“Our preventative action has followed a long-running and carefully-managed investigation.
“We are committed to making sure all communities are safe, and we do not currently believe there is any wider risk directly connected to this case.
“We also know it’s important that communities feel safe. Local officers will continue to listen and act on concerns alongside partners to protect the public and keep you safe.
“This is a reminder that the threat of terrorism always remains, but also of how hard our specialist officers are working to prevent our communities from suffering harm.
Amanda Bomsztyk, Northern Regional Director of the Community Security Trust said:
“These are very serious allegations of a plan to commit a terrorist attack against British Jews at a time of record antisemitic hate crime levels. This is one of a number of recent and ongoing cases that demonstrate why the Jewish community needs such extensive security measures and why our continuing partnership
