Summary
Two men have been given life sentences and a third jailed for their parts in a foiled terrorist plot intended to target the Jewish community in Greater Manchester
Earlier today (Friday 13 February 2026), the following sentences were passed at Preston Crown Court:
- Walid Saadaoui (06/06/1987), of Crankwood Road, Abram was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum term of 37 years.
- Amar Hussain (25/05/1973), of no fixed address was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum term of 26 years.
- Bilel Saadaoui (01/01/1989), of Fairclough Street, Hindley was sentenced to more than 6 years in prison.
The sentences follow guilty verdicts returned in December 2026 which saw Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein convicted of preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2006. Bilel Saadaoui was found guilty of failure to disclose information about an act of terrorism
In late 2023, Walid Saadaoui came into online contact with a man he believed shared extremist views like his own. The pair frequently exchanged messages and it soon became clear that Saadaoui was keen to conduct a significant terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.
However, unbeknownst to him, Saadaoui was actually in contact with an undercover operative – later identified in court proceedings as “Farouk” to protect his identity.
Saadaoui would later introduce Farouk to Amar Hussein, an individual considered to be like-minded and looking to be involved with the plot. The two would-be terrorists believed that Farouk could import automatic firearms from abroad which could be used in an attack.
Over the coming months, the two developed their plans and between them conducted reconnaissance around Upper Broughton in Salford, as well as visited the Port of Dover to observe the border they believed the illegal firearms would be transported through.
Throughout the course of the undercover operation, it became clear that Walid had discussed his plans with his brother, Bilel Saadaoui. He openly discussed his brother’s awareness of the plot with Farouk and later confessed that he had done so during cross examination, despite initially denying it when questioned.