Terror plotter who planned attack on UK target jailed

An associate of the Heaton Park Synagogue attacker has been jailed for life today, after planning his own attack on a UK defence target.
Mohammad Bashir, 31, earlier pleaded guilty to preparing an act of terrorism after evidence revealed that rather than being just an encourager of terrorism, he was a committed jihadist planning a mass attack of his own.
While there was no known link between Bashir’s planning and the attack that Al-Shamie would go on to commit at the Manchester Heaton Park Synagogue, the court heard how Bashir had a terrorist mindset and worked with Al-Shamie on planning a separate attack.

“Mohammad Bashir is a determined jihadist and dangerous individual who was planning an attack that could have caused devastation.
“His actions demonstrate a deliberate and sustained commitment to violent extremism, including conducting reconnaissance, sharing extremist material, and discussing weapons and plans capable of causing significant harm.
“While Al Shamie ultimately carried out a separate attack independently, the evidence shows that Bashir played a key role in earlier preparations for a potential mass casualty incident.
“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Counter Terrorism Policing to build a strong case, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending.”

Read more: Crown Prosecution Service (UK)