An individual believed to be connected to the perpetrator of the Manchester synagogue attack, Jihad Al-Shamie, has been formally accused of four terrorism-related charges. Mohammad Bashir, aged 31, is set to appear in court the following day after being accused of aiding Al-Shamie in conducting prior surveillance of a UK defense establishment.
Al-Shamie was fatally shot by police after carrying out a violent incident involving a knife and a vehicle at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in October. The attack resulted in the death of two individuals and injuries to four others.
Bashir is facing charges related to sharing extremist content online with the intention of promoting terrorist acts. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The Crown Prosecution Service clarified that the assistance provided by Bashir was not connected to the synagogue attack that occurred two months prior.
Frank Ferguson, the Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated that Mohammad Bashir is being prosecuted for terrorism offenses based on an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North West into his association with Jihad Al-Shamie.
Adrian Daulby, aged 53, and Melvin Cravitz, aged 66, both residents of Crumpsall, lost their lives in the tragic incident. Authorities mentioned that the attacker might have been influenced by radical Islamist beliefs.
Al-Shamie, reportedly a university dropout born in Syria, acquired British citizenship at a young age and was under police suspicion for rape allegations at the time of the attack.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, overseeing Counter Terrorism Policing North West, disclosed that Mohammad Asim Bashir has been charged with terrorism-related offenses, though not directly linked to the synagogue attack. Bashir has been remanded in custody for the upcoming court appearance, and the investigation into the attack remains ongoing.
The authorities continue to seek information from the public to aid in their inquiries and express gratitude for the community’s cooperation and understanding throughout the process.