Two Men Jailed for Life Over Deadly Manchester Terror Plot
Two terror suspects plotting to smuggle guns into the UK and attack Manchester’s Jewish community have been locked up for life. Their combined minimum sentences exceed 60 years.
Huge Sentences for Terror Plotters
Walid Saadaoui, 38, from Abram, Wigan, was hit with a staggering minimum 37-year jail term. Amar Hussein, 52, of no fixed address, got 26 years minimum. Both were found guilty at Preston Crown Court of preparing terrorist acts between December 2023 and May 2024.
Greater Manchester Police warned the plot could have been “the UK’s most deadly terror attack” if cops hadn’t stepped in.
Undercover Cop Busts Gun Smuggling Operation
An undercover officer played a crucial role in foiling the weapons smuggling before disaster struck. The pair tried to sneak firearms into the UK with the aim of targeting Manchester’s Jewish community, inspired by ISIS ideology. Thankfully, the plot was stopped cold.
A third man, Bilel Saadaoui, 36 and Walid’s younger brother, was convicted of failing to report terrorism info. His sentence is still pending.
Long Road Behind Bars – Parole Still Decades Away
- Walid Saadaoui won’t be eligible for parole until 2061, when he’s 75.
- Hussein faces a minimum 26-year stretch with parole possible only in 2050, aged 78.
Both could remain locked up for life if deemed still dangerous by the parole board.
Major Counter-Terror Victory for Greater Manchester Police
The convictions mark a huge success for police and security agencies battling terrorism. This case highlights the ongoing threat of ISIS-inspired attacks on UK communities and the vital role of undercover operations in nipping deadly plots in the bud.
