Manchester synagogue attacker's associate jailed for life after plotting MoD terror attack

Mohammed Bashir was an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, who was responsible for killing two people in the Manchester synagogue attack last year

A 31-year-old “long-standing, committed jihadist” who plotted a terror attack on a Ministry of Defence base has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 16 years and 135 days.

Mohammed Bashir, 31, of Shaftesbury Road, Cheetham Hill was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court earlier today, having drove Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, on a 10-hour round trip to complete reconnaissance at the UK Defence Academy in Swindon on August 14 last year.

Al-Shamie, an associate of Bashir, was responsible for killing two people at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester last year, and was shot dead at the scene.

During the trial of Bashir, prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC said: “The prosecution case is that Mohammad Bashir is a long-standing, committed jihadist.

“The attack that was being planned was of the sort that Jihad Al-Shamie in fact carried out on October 2, an attack involving weapons that would cause multiple fatalities and have national and international impact."

The pair discarded their mobile phones after scouting the base, with the later examination of Al-Shamie's phones used to help prosecute Bashir via WhatsApp messages and voice note exchanges between the two.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC added: “Analysis of Bashir and Al-Shamie’s messages to each other demonstrated they were both close associates and both shared an extremist worldview.

“They were both interested in, and regularly discussed, violent jihad.

"CCTV from the Sunnah Mosque in Manchester, combined with data from a phone belonging to Al-Shamie, demonstrates that both men were planning a terrorist attack on the defence Station at Shrivenham in advance of August 14."

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson QPM of Manchester Police said the terrorist atrocity at the Heaton Park synagogue last October was a "wicked act", which saw Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, killed when Syrian-born Al-Shamie storm the gates and attack the congregation with a knife whilst wearing a fake suicide belt.

Bashir was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27 but was not charged in relation to the synagogue attack.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “Mohammed Bashir is a dangerous individual with extremist views who held conversations about preparing for ‘war’.

“He was caught on camera discussing carrying out a terrorist attack with a man who would later go on to conduct an attack himself.

"Together they made a 10-hour round trip to conduct hostile reconnaissance at a military base and noted it’s security arrangements.

“The pair tried to cover their tracks by disposing of their mobile phones but, thanks to the meticulous work of investigators, evidence of damning internet searches that show research for attack planning were uncovered.

“Bashir is now facing the consequences of his actions and I hope his sentence will act as a deterrent to anybody considering taking part in extremist activity.

“Although there is no evidence to suggest that Bashir knew in advance about plans to conduct a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, I know today’s sentencing will prompt public discussion on that incident.

“My thoughts today are with all those affected by the attack, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.

"They have been at the forefront of our minds throughout the investigation and will continue to be so.”

Bashir pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism last month.

Mohammed Nawaz KC, defending, said Bashir's parents and family were practising Muslims and he was brought up as a peaceable and non-violent Sunni Muslim.

Mr Nawaz said testimonials described Bashir as "a decent, hard-working, caring man" and people were "surprised and shocked" at his offending.

"Somewhere along the line something must have changed from the way he was brought up. Something changed in his thinking and his approach and his interpretation of his religion."

He went on to say that Bashir met Al-Shamie in 2023, but was unaware of his extreme views.

Mr Nawaz also said an important element of mitigation was that Bashir had a change of heart after he drove to the Defence Academy at Shrivenham.

His contact with Al-Shamie "tailed off", he said, and there was no attack involving Bashir, adding: "There was a genuine change of heart on the part of the defendant."

Bashir is Manchester-born but also holds a Pakistani passport and has no previous convictions.

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This sentence sends the clear message that those who prepare acts of terrorism will face the full force of the law.

"The connection between Mr Bashir and Heaton Park terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie demonstrates the wider threat posed by Islamist networks in Britain.

"While Jews are often among its first victims, this poisonous ideology endangers all Britons. The Government’s recent decision to proscribe the IRGC was an important step, and it must now keep up the momentum by tackling the homegrown extremism that inspires terrorist plots here in Britain.”