TWO Islamic terrorists planned to massacre as many Jews as they could — near to last week’s synagogue attack, a court heard yesterday.
IS-inspired Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, both above, allegedly scoped targets in Greater Manchester and arranged to buy assault rifles.
The planned attack was allegedly set to take place near last week’s fatal synagogue attack carried out by Jihad Al-ShamiePA
But their plot was exposed when counter-terror police swooped as Saadaoui stood by his car in a Bolton car park.
He fled but in the car were two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition.
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC said: “They planned to kill as many members of the Jewish community as they could.
“They had also identified areas in Greater Manchester with a large Jewish population to attack.
“They planned to attack in this way because they are Islamic extremists.
“They embraced the views of the so-called Islamic State.”
Saadaoui, from Wigan, and Hussein, from Salford, plotted the atrocity between December 2023 and May 2024, Preston crown court heard.
Mr Sandhu said: “They believed they were planning their attacks with a third man called Farouk.
“What they did not know was Farouk was an undercover operative.
“As a result, the police were able to stop those plans becoming a tragic reality.”
Saadaoui was said to have been waiting for two more assault rifles, another pistol and more ammunition.
Both men deny planning an attack.
When his name was mentioned, Hussein repeatedly shouted, “Don’t talk s**t,” then refused to return to court.
Saadaoui’s brother, Bilel, 36, is accused of failing to disclose information about terrorism.
The case — due to last three months — is not linked to last week’s Heaton Park synagogue attack, judge Mark Wall said.
A court sketch of Amar Hussein and Walid Saaadoui, who allegedly planned to massacre as many Jews as they could in an attack in Manchester Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
