Man linked to UK synagogue attacker jailed over terror plan

Mohammad Bashir, 31, has been sentenced to life in prison by a UK court for planning a terror attack with Jihad Al-Shamie. Al-Shamie carried out a fatal stabbing spree at a Manchester synagogue last October, killing two people before being shot dead by police. Bashir pleaded guilty to preparing terrorist acts, including a trip with Al-Shamie to spy on the UK’s Defence Academy in August. Prosecutors stated Bashir was not involved in the synagogue attack, but the planned assault on the defence facility was advanced and would have been deadly. The judge noted the plan was similar to Al-Shamie's synagogue attack.

Mohammad Bashir has been sentenced to life in prison for plotting a terror attack on the UK's Defense Academy. The investigation into a separate deadly synagogue attack, carried out by Bashir's friend Jihad Al-Shamie, uncovered evidence of their joint plan to target the military academy. Al-Shamie believed the academy was training Israeli Defense Forces. While Bashir was not involved in the synagogue attack, he pleaded guilty to preparing an act of terrorism and must serve a minimum of 17 years. Police discovered the academy plot through messages on phones seized from Al-Shamie, acknowledging a missed opportunity to prevent the synagogue attack.

Greater Manchester Police have admitted a "missed opportunity" before the attack on a city synagogue in October. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson confirmed that phones seized from the attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, during previous arrests contained crucial data that was not examined. This failure to review the information meant potential investigative actions were not taken. The apology comes as al-Shamie's friend, Mohammad Bashir, was jailed for life for preparing a terrorist act, which involved a reconnaissance mission to a UK Defence Academy with al-Shamie two months before the synagogue attack. Al-Shamie was shot dead by police after attacking the synagogue, an incident that resulted in two deaths. The police watchdog is now reviewing GMP's past investigations into al-Shamie.