A Manchester man pleaded guilty on Friday to preparing terrorist acts with the October Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue attacker, Greater Manchester Police announced.
Cheetham Hill resident Mohammad Asim Bashir had aided synagogue attacker Jihad al-Shamie by driving him to conduct reconnaissance of a UK defence facility in August and discussing criteria for potential targets.
“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack shows the seriousness of his actions,” Counter Terrorism Policing North West head Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said in a statement.
“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing, which is due to take place in July.”
With the prosecution taking into consideration his guilty plea, the 32-year-old suspect is expected to be sentenced at a hearing in late July.
Manchester police probe deeper into the Yom Kippur terror attack
Manchester police have continued the investigation into Shamie’s associates since the Yom Kippur terrorist attack, in which the ISIS supporter rammed his vehicle into the Crumpsall synagogue before exiting the vehicle to stab congregants.
A 49-year-old Higher Broughton resident was arrested on May 26 under suspicion of failing to disclose information relating to the attack that claimed the lives of two congregants and wounded three more.
A 31-year-old man was arrested at Manchester Airport in November after arriving on an inbound flight, suspected of commission, preparation, and instigation of terrorist acts.
Another man was arrested at the airport in October, suspected of failing to disclose information that could have stopped a terrorist attack. He had previously been arrested alongside a 61-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man.
A 46-year-old woman, an 18-year-old woman, and a 43-year-old man were also arrested in Farnworth, but the latter two were released.
Shamie was shot to death by responding officers. Two congregants, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed in the attack, with Daulby slain by stray gunfire.
“From the outset of our investigation into the tragic events at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, we have been unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full circumstances behind what happened,” said Potts.
“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”