Friend of Manchester synagogue attacker jailed for plot on military base

A man identified as a friend of the perpetrator who attacked a Manchester synagogue has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a plot targeting a military base. Counter-terrorism police uncovered the conspiracy after examining the phones of the synagogue attacker, following the incident in October 2025.

Investigators discovered that both individuals held extremist views and frequently exchanged antisemitic remarks in their WhatsApp conversations. They also discussed preparations for "war." The convicted friend drove the attacker to the Shrivenham base, a site that trains personnel for the British military, Civil Service, and foreign students. During the visit, the attacker used his phone to document security arrangements, titling the notes "espionage."

Both men disposed of their phones after the trip, but law enforcement officers managed to access cloud data linked to their devices. This data revealed that the attacker had conducted searches for terms such as 'weapons, potential target sites, and individuals with links to the Israeli military.' CCTV footage also captured the pair discussing their attack plans, providing further evidence for the prosecution.

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weapons, potential target sites, and individuals with links to the Israeli military