Trio jailed for involvement in foiled Manchester terror plot

Posted to News on Monday, February 23, 2026 Share:

TWO MEN (namely Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussain) have been given life sentences and a third (Bilel Saadaoui) jailed for their involvement in a foiled terrorist plot intended to target the Jewish community in Greater Manchester.

Walid Saadaoui (DoB: 6.6.1987) of Crankwood Road in Abram was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum term of 37 years. Amar Hussain (DoB: 25.5.1973) of no fixed address was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum term of 26 years. Bilel Saadaoui (DoB: 1.1.1989) of Fairclough Street in Hindley was sentenced to more than six years in prison.

The sentences follow guilty verdicts returned last December 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.

Online contact

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, unbeknown 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 then be used in an attack.

Conducting reconnaissance

Over the coming months, the two developed their plans and, between them, conducted reconnaissance around Upper Broughton in Salford, as well as visiting the Port of Dover to observe the border through which they believed the illegal firearms would be transported.

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).