Man charged with helping Manchester synagogue attacker spy on defence facility

Jihad al-Shamie was shot dead by police following his attack on the Heaton Park synagogue.

A man has been charged with assisting Jihad al-Shamie, the Manchester synagogue attacker, with spying on a defence facility.

Mohammad Bashir, who allegedly drove al-Shamie to an unnamed strategic site on a reconnaissance mission on August 14, will appear in court on Friday charged with four terrorism offences.

The assistance allegedly provided by the 31-year-old was not in relation to the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on October 2, a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed after al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue and began attacking people with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt.

Adrian Daulby (left) and Melvin Cravitz were killed after Jihad al-Shamie launched a terror attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in October. Photo / Supplied, AFP

The 35-year-old was shot dead at the scene by police.

Chief Crown prosecutor Frank Ferguson said: “Today, we have decided to prosecute Mohammad Bashir with terrorism offences – following a Counter Terrorism Policing North West investigation into his conduct linked to Jihad al-Shamie.

“Our prosecutors have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Mohammad Bashir with one offence of preparation of terrorist acts and three offences of sharing terrorist publications with al-Shamie and others with the intent to encourage acts of terrorism.”

Bashir, of Manchester, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The British citizen of Pakistani descent was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said Bashir was released without charge in relation to the Heaton Park terrorist attack.

“However, he has been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow to face the charges authorised today,” Potts said.

“Our investigation into the attack remains live and I would continue to appeal to anyone with information that could potentially be of assistance to please come forward.”

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