Friend of Manchester synagogue attacker jailed for plot on military base
BBC News 2026-07-23 10:14:12
Context: Mohammad Bashir, a 31-year-old man, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years for his involvement in a plot to attack a military base. Bashir was a friend of Jihad Al-Shamie, who carried out a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue in October 2025, killing two Jewish men. The pair had discussed preparing for "war" and made antisemitic remarks in WhatsApp conversations.
Key Facts
- Mohammad Bashir, 31, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 17 years at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of preparing an act of terrorism.
- Bashir drove Jihad Al-Shamie on a 10-hour round trip to conduct hostile reconnaissance at the UK's Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, on 14 August 2025.
- Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by police after carrying out the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in Manchester, in which two Jewish men were killed, just weeks after the trip to the Defence Academy.
- Counter terror police uncovered Bashir's friendship with Al-Shamie after reviewing his phones following the attack on the synagogue in October 2025.
- The pair held extremist views and frequently made antisemitic remarks in WhatsApp conversations, with Greater Manchester Police stating that they had discussed preparing for "war".