Key Points
- Two men, Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein, have been found guilty of plotting an Islamic State-inspired terror attack in Bolton.
- Saadaoui, 38, was arrested at the Last Drop Hotel car park in Bromley Cross on 8 May 2024.
- Hussein, 52, was arrested on Grecian Crescent, Great Lever.
- The men planned to carry out a mass shooting in Prestwich and North Manchester, targeting Jewish communities.
- Counter Terrorism Policing North West led a major sting operation involving more than 200 officers.
- The pair revealed their plans to an undercover operative, codenamed “Farouk.”
- Saadaoui believed he was importing AK-47s, handguns, and 900 rounds of ammunition into the UK.
- The weapons were deactivated and the plot foiled before any attack was carried out.
- Saadaoui was influenced by Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the ISIS terrorist behind the 2015 Paris attacks.
- Both men now face lengthy prison sentences following a trial at Preston Crown Court.
Who Were the Men Behind the Bolton Terror Plot?
As reported by Tom Wilkinson of The Independent, the men — Walid Saadaoui, aged 38, and Amar Hussein, aged 52 — were described in court as harbouring a “visceral dislike” of Jewish people. Jurors heard how their ideology was steeped in anti-Semitic hatred and admiration for Islamic State’s brutal tactics.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the two men were radicalised online and had discussed with fervour their plans to attack bystanders in areas with significant Jewish populations. Detective Chief Superintendent Gwyn Dodd, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, described their intentions as “cold-blooded and driven by extremist propaganda.”
Saadaoui, originally from Tunisia, was the more dominant figure in the plot. Court records show he often expressed admiration for Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Belgian jihadist who orchestrated the 2015 Paris terror attacks. As reported by Chris Riches of The Telegraph, prosecutors revealed that Saadaoui “idolised Abaaoud,” referring to him as a martyr and a warrior in what he saw as a “war against the enemies of Islam.”
How Was the Plot Uncovered?
Police say the terror plan began unravelling after Saadaoui contacted what he believed to be a weapons smuggler. In reality, the man he was liaising with was “Farouk,” an undercover operative working with Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
As detailed by Helen Pidd of The Guardian, during multiple meetings and encrypted chats, Saadaoui discussed bringing four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns, and nearly 900 rounds of ammunition into the United Kingdom. He allegedly paid a deposit for the weapons months before his arrest, believing they were being sourced via Eastern Europe.
Court transcripts heard by the BBC revealed that Saadaoui told “Farouk” he could “independently obtain a firearm through Sweden” and that he was “ready for jihad.”
Authorities closely monitored the escalating situation for weeks. Investigators recorded dozens of hours of conversations between the suspects and the undercover officer, providing damning evidence of intent.
Meanwhile, Hussein played a secondary but supportive role, expressing agreement with Saadaoui’s ideas and offering logistical help. As reported by Sky News, Hussein told the operative that “too many words and not enough action” had been the problem with other extremists in the UK.
What Happened on the Day of Their Arrest?
The culmination of the sting operation took place on 8 May 2024. Acting on intelligence, police launched what they called a “strike operation” involving over 200 officers across Bolton.
According to ITV News, Saadaoui was arrested in the car park of the Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross, as he arrived to collect what he thought were real weapons from his contact. The firearms had, unbeknownst to him, been deactivated by police for safety purposes.
Simultaneously, Hussein was arrested several miles away at his home on Grecian Crescent, Great Lever. Officers recovered extremist literature, encrypted devices, and what police described as “propaganda linked to Islamic State ideology.”
Assistant Chief Constable Dominic Scally told reporters that “the speed and precision” of the police response were critical in preventing what could have been a “catastrophic act of mass murder.”
What Were the Motives Behind the Planned Attack?
As covered by Liz Hull of the Daily Mail, prosecutors told the court the men intended to “cause untold harm” by launching an armed assault in a busy public area. The preferred targets, investigators said, were
“people of the Jewish faith or those associated with the community.”
Saadaoui and Hussein’s conversations with “Farouk” revealed they sought to carry out a simultaneous attack in multiple locations, emulating the style of past Islamic State strikes in Europe.
According to The Times’ crime correspondent John Simpson, Saadaoui regarded himself as part of a wider “brotherhood” of extremists. This sentiment was reflected in his social media history, which included posts glorifying ISIS and sharing clips of previous terror incidents.
Prosecutor Edmund Burge KC told jurors that “both men were wholly committed to violent jihad and were taking clear steps to bring their plans to fruition.”
What Evidence Was Presented in Court?
Preston Crown Court heard detailed evidence gathered over months of surveillance, undercover recordings, and online communication logs. As reported by The Manchester Evening News, investigators discovered that Saadaoui had also purchased an air weapon and practised at a local shooting range in an apparent dry run for the attack.
Digital forensic analysts retrieved images, chat logs, and financial transactions that corroborated his discussions about arms procurement. Hussein’s devices contained messages endorsing ISIS and literature encouraging martyrdom through armed struggle.
Both defendants denied terrorism offences, claiming their discussions were “hypothetical and exaggerated bravado.” However, jurors unanimously found them guilty after less than a day’s deliberation.
What Happens Next for Saadaoui and Hussein?
The two men will be sentenced in early 2026 at the same court. Legal analysts quoted by Channel 4 News suggested they could face life sentences, given the gravity of the plot and the potential for mass casualties.
Judge Robert Altham, presiding over the trial, told the defendants that sentencing would reflect
“not only intent but the real and practical steps taken toward violent execution.”
In a statement released after the verdict, Counter Terrorism Policing North West thanked the public for their vigilance and cooperation.
“Every time we intercept a plot of this magnitude, it reaffirms our collective responsibility to safeguard communities from hatred and extremist violence,”
the statement read.
How Are Authorities Responding to the Increasing Risk of Lone-Wolf Terrorism?
As noted by The Guardian, UK counter-terrorism officials continue to highlight the growing threat of radicalisation through encrypted messaging and online propaganda. Analysts have warned that individuals like Saadaoui and Hussein may represent a “new generation” of self-directed extremists who act independently but remain ideologically tied to global terrorist movements.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said in a prepared statement quoted by the BBC:
“This verdict demonstrates the tireless work of our security services and police to prevent murderous acts of terror. The public should know that we will continue to disrupt and dismantle extremist networks wherever they exist.”
Security experts emphasise that the success of Operation Farouk underscores the importance of undercover engagement and intelligence sharing between agencies.