Three men have been convicted over a foiled terrorist plot to attack Jewish targets in Greater Manchester, after an undercover operation prevented what police describe as one of the most serious threats seen in the UK in years.
Brothers Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Bilel Saadaoui, 36, and Amar Hussein, 52, were found guilty at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday. Walid Saadaoui and Hussein were convicted of preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006. Bilel Saadaoui was convicted of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.
Prosecutors said Walid Saadaoui believed he was communicating with a like-minded extremist committed to helping him import automatic weapons. In reality, he was speaking with an undercover operative known as “Farouk”, who spent months embedded in the plot. Investigators found Saadaoui had discussed plans to target Jewish people, carried out reconnaissance in Salford, and visited Dover in the belief weapons could be smuggled through the port. Hussein later joined the plot, meeting Farouk and discussing logistics. Walid’s brother Bilel was aware of the plans but did not alert authorities.
All three will be sentenced on 13 February 2026.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts of Counter Terrorism Policing North West said the case represented “one of the most significant terrorist plot disruptions we have seen in the UK for several years” and warned of the attack’s potential scale.
He described the planned assault as “an evil act born out of hate and intolerance” and added that if successful it could have been “one of the deadliest terrorist attacks to ever take place on UK soil”. Potts also highlighted the risks taken by the undercover operative, noting he “put himself in significant danger each time he met with two would-be terrorists”.
The case unfolded against a backdrop of heightened fear within the Jewish community. GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the offenders’ motives were driven by antisemitism and praised the joint policing effort that stopped the plot. He said: “They sought to bring slaughter to the innocent, but the outstanding dedication and commitment of our people ensured that this could not happen.” He added that “a terrorist attack upon our Jewish friends and neighbours is an attack on us all” and stressed police will continue to “stand alongside all of our communities”.
Officers continued to work with community groups, including the Community Security Trust, throughout the trial. The convictions come two months after a separate attack targeting Manchester’s Jewish community and follow several recent incidents internationally, including a deadly attack in Sydney. Authorities emphasised that today’s outcome should reassure the public that high-risk threats are being actively monitored and disrupted.
Never had Religious Communities where and when I grew up, this country is heading down a very dangerous route that’s for sure.
Absolutely. There should only be one community. That of British people, whatever your colour or religion.
How unfortunate for you. My hometown back in the 70s had thriving Catholic, Jewish, and Yemeni (dating from late 1800s) communities.
All added to the richness of the town.
Sounds Idylic, you are a lucky person that’s for sure.
I’m sure they’re looking forward to their Starmer money and lenient sentencing, while their “community” receives ever more protection from the police.
Meanwhile the Jewish community must be wondering what it takes for Starmer to wake up. I know everyone else already is
You think Stramer sentences them? 🤣🤡
That roaring sound you just heard was my point flying straight over your head 👍🏻
Welcome refugees.
So you don’t think British citizens should be allowed foreign born spouses?
Even Mr Farage would object to that 😆
Depends on the refugee. If they come from a civilised part of the world that doesn’t worship histories most famous pedophile and actually treat women and girls with respect, then they are welcome.
This is why farage’s wife is not an issue
That should be “history’s” not “histories”, but racists have never been renowned for the level of their educational attainment.
Freedom of speech and to worship are hallmarks of a democratic and free society. You appear to want to extinguish both, which would also make you a fascist too.
BTW you’re wrong he doesn’t worship Trump…
🤦♂️
After seeing endless comments of your pro muslim anti western rhetoric over the last few months, all I can say is whatever helps you sleep at night you sad, sad man (boy?).
Hope one of your female family members never becomes “enriched” by one of those animals on a dark night or suffer from yet another terror attack perpetrated by them.
Also loves to throw the accusation of “racist” at other posters here.
I noticed, just ignore the fool. He suffers from suicidal toleration and TDS weirdly, even though I am sure he isn’t American
Only at the ones making racist comments.
And there you’d be wrong yet again, such stupidity is outstanding.
I’m not pro-Muslim. I know a couple and there ok blokes, though I’m amazed they’ve not seen through Islam yet. Anyone who has studied the historical facts concerning how it began will realise very quickly that rather than being a prophet, Mohammed was probably the greatest con-man of all time. His small clan were driven out of Mecca by larger ones. But by inventing a religion he was able to grow a new larger clan than could ever be built by both and marriage. This allowed him to defeat his enemies militarily and return to Mecca. Where he discovered being a ‘prophet’ was far more advantageous than trade.
But I suspect trying to convince my mates that is on par with getting them to switch football teams.
Not said a single anti-Weatern comment on here. I’ve griped about the lack of spending on defence, and hurled a few insults at the Russian asset currently inhabiting the White House. But anti-Western, no, not a single one.
As for hoping one of my family members is attacked. Well the percentages show that such a person would be white, in this majority white country. But that you could hope that simply shows to everyone on here that you’re depraved scum.
He said refugees
Not all people who migrate to the UK are refugees.
Some come from Europe some come from the US, many come via the legal migration path and pay for their Visas/ citizenship.
The individuals who are the subject of this article weren’t refugees though. They came here as a result of marrying British women. But he was too lazy to check their backgrounds out and simply posted about ‘refugees’.
Deport.