Saturday, 16 November 2024

Men Accused of Plotting ISIS-Inspired Attack to Shoot Jews in UK Appear in Court


Men Accused of Plotting ISIS-Inspired Attack to Shoot Jews in UK Appear in Court
WIGAN - UNITED KINGDOM MAY 09: Police tape cordons off a home in the Abram area of Wigan aGetty Images

LONDON (AP) – Two men accused of plotting to gun down Jews in an Islamic State-inspired attack in northwest England were held without bail Tuesday after appearing in a London court.

Walid Saadaoui, 36, and Amar Hussein, 50, were accused of planning to use automatic weapons to kill Jews, police and military personnel, prosecutors said in Westminster Magistrates´ Court.

The duo face charges of preparing terrorist acts between Dec. 13 and last Thursday.

The charges come as incidents of antisemitism in the U.K. hit a record high last year – with a spike following Hamas´ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israel´s ensuing military campaign in Gaza, according to Community Security Trust, an advocacy group for British Jews that works to eliminate antisemitism.

“This is one of a number of recent and ongoing cases that demonstrate why the Jewish community needs such extensive security measures,” said Amanda Bomsztyk, northern regional director of the trust.

A third man, Bilel Saadaoui, 35, was accused of making arrangements for the expected death of his brother, co-defendant Walid Saadaoui.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Defense lawyer Angelo Saponiere said Bilel Saadaoui was a family man unaware of the alleged plot.

The three were arrested last week by Greater Manchester Police. They were held without bail and scheduled to appear May 24 for a hearing in the Central Criminal Court.


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