From the Manchester Evening News here and here
An undercover operative told a jury he felt ‘in serious danger’ when he met an alleged Islamic State fanatic for the first time amid fears he could be exposed as a law enforcement officer.
The agent, named only Farouk, told a court Tunisia-born former restaurateur Walid Saadaoui appeared ‘nervous’ and ‘unpredictable’ when the pair met for the first time in a park ahead of what the prosecution say was a plot to murder as many Jews as possible in north Manchester in the summer of 2024.
When counter terror cops arrested him in May 2024, Mr Saadaoui tried to flee but officers
found two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition in his car, the court has been told. He was awaiting delivery of a further two assault rifles, another pistol and more ammunition to lunch a terror attack to kills ‘as many Jews as possible’ in Prestwich and Higher Broughton in the summer of 2024, according to the Crown.
As the trial of Mr Saadaoui and his co-defendant Amar Hussein – who deny terror charges – continued today (Tuesday October 21), an undercover operative named only ‘Farouk’ began his fourth day in the witness box.
The pair are also said to have discussed whether Walid’s co-defendant brother Bilel Saadaoui would join in the attack. Walid told Farouk: “Do you know what I suspect? I suspect when the exact time comes, he will join us. I don’t think he will stay behind.”
Farouk later asked Walid: “And the other brother, what shall we do with him?”
“We will test him,” answered Walid Saadaoui.
Later Walid told Farouk: “May God make me steadfast in this matter, even if you turn up not to be a true person, I will continue by myself.”
“This is my decision, and this is my intention and I am going to do that for God almighty. I have no other aim in life.”
Farouk told the court this was a reference to a terror attack in Manchester.
Farouk and Walid Saadoui discussed a reconnaissance mission to the port of Dover through which the guns were to be smuggled.
The defendant told Farouk: “Yes, We will wear the clothes of the people who go there for a walk… We will wear normal clothes…”
We will then go and explore. We will also need binoculars.”
Walid Saadaoui was said to have discussed using code words when communicating with Farouk.
On February 21, 2024, Walid sent a message to Farouk which said: “From now onwards, we don’t say: ‘Peace, mercy and blessing from God be upon you’. We should say, ‘brother, it seems that my golden finch is ill, what to do? Just in case. Anything happens. . . Nobody will understand anything. Whoever hears it will think it is bird’s fans talk, talking about golden finch.”
This is like something out of the comedy about the French resistance ‘Allo, ‘Allo; it would be funny were Jews in Manchester (everywhere in the UK) not in such real danger.
Mr Saadaoui and Mr Hussein have pleaded not guilty to preparation of terrorist acts, namely that between December 13, 2023, and May 9, 2024, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, they arranged for the purchase and delivery of firearms, conducted reconnaissance and made plans of attack.
The court has heard that Mr Saadaoui’s defence is that he was being pressured by others and that he planned to sabotage the plot and alert the police.
Walid’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, from Hindley, Wigan, has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of failing to disclose acts of terrorism between the same dates.
