Pictured: Terror suspect, 35, arrested over failure to disclose 'Isis

Release time：2024-05-17 08:45:04 Source：Earth Examination news portal

This is the 35-year-old terror suspect arrested over a failure to disclose an alleged Isis-inspired plot to murder Jewish people in a machine gun attack.

Bilel Saadaoui has appeared in court alongside two other men after a series of raids in north-west England.

Saadaoui, from Hindley in Wigan, is charged with failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism after allegedly taking receipt of his brother's will and the key to a safe containing £75,000.

His older brother, Tunisian-born Walid Saadaoui, 36, from Abram in Wigan, was also arrested along with Amar Hussein, 50, and those two have been charged with preparation of terrorist acts.

Walid Saadaoui and Hussein had 'intended causing multiple fatalities using automatic weapons' while also targeting 'law enforcement and military', it was alleged.

Bilel Saadaoui is charged with failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism after allegedly taking receipt of his brother's will and the key to a safe containing £75,000.

Police are seen outside a house in Hindley, Greater Manchester, following a series of raids

Greater Manchester Police acknowledged that the 'concerning and distressing details' of the 'suspected terrorist plot' would cause 'significant' concern.

They took the unprecedented step of issuing reassurances it was 'committed to making sure all communities are safe'.

In what was seen as a highly unusual intervention – given that court proceedings are at such an early stage – Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said the wider public would 'understandably be alarmed' at the allegations.

He said officers had 'worked closely' with community groups and would continue to 'update and support' them.

Mr Potts added that police 'do not currently believe there is any wider risk directly connected to this case'. Greater Manchester has Britain's largest Jewish population outside London at around 28,000 people.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday, Walid Saadaoui was accused of agreeing to pay for four machine guns and a handgun, together with 1,200 rounds of ammunition, and arranging a safehouse for their storage.

He allegedly travelled to Dover in Kent in March with Hussein 'with the aim of conducting reconnaissance of the port security' where the weapons were to be imported, the court heard.

Walid Saadaoui was arrested last Wednesday as he allegedly prepared to take receipt of the weapons while Hussein was held at a separate location. 

The Saadaoui brothers both have leave to remain in the UK, the court was told.

Prosecutor Rebecca Waller said: 'Walid Saadaoui and Hussein planned to conduct an ISIL [Isis] or Daesh-inspired terrorist attack in the UK during which they intended causing multiple fatalities using automatic weapons.

Walid Saadaoui, Amar Hussein, and Bilel Saadaoui appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) yesterday

A total of four addresses were raided across Wigan and Bolton in what police said had been a 'long running and carefully managed investigation'

'The main targets of their attack plans were the Jewish community in the north-west of England and members of both law enforcement and military.'

She said both men took 'significant steps' to make preparations and 'believed they were in a position to launch their attack'.

Between last December and his arrest, Walid Saadaoui shared 'detailed plans to purchase firearms to use in his planned attack' with 'another individual', Ms Waller said. 'He also stated that he was in communication with, and a member of, ISIS.'

The prosecutor added Walid Saadaoui was arrested 'as he travelled to a pre-arranged meeting to take receipt of the weapons'.

Walid Saadaoui spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, and was remanded in custody. Hussein, of no fixed address, was unrepresented and was asked if he wanted to apply for bail. He answered: 'Do whatever you want to.'

Bilel Saadaoui, who has lived with his wife and her two sons since 2010, had a bail application denied. He sobbed as he was led from the dock.

The men were arrested after four search warrants were executed in the Bolton, Abram, Hindley and Great Lever areas at around 7.30pm last Wednesday.

After the hearing, Mr Potts, who holds responsibility for counter-terrorism policing in North-West England, said his force had 'outlined some concerning and distressing details about a suspected terrorist plot that we allege was being planned by suspects from Greater Manchester'.

He added: 'We know how significant the impact of this will be, particularly for our Jewish community in Greater Manchester and across the country.

A police officer is seen standing guard outside a house in Wigan after the anti-terror raids

'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.

'We are committed to making sure all communities are safe.'

Amanda Bomsztyk, CST's northern director, thanked police for their 'reassurance and protection for the Jewish community'.

The UK has seen the fourth highest increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Europe since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

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