WIREDGOV

An associate of the Heaton Park Synagogue attacker has been jailed for life today, after planning his own attack on a UK defence target.

Mohammad Bashir, 31, earlier pleaded guilty to preparing an act of terrorism after evidence revealed that rather than being just an encourager of terrorism, he was a committed jihadist planning a mass attack of his own.

While there was no known link between Bashir’s planning and the attack that Al-Shamie would go on to commit at the Manchester Heaton Park Synagogue, the court heard how Bashir had a terrorist mindset and worked with Al-Shamie on planning a separate attack.

A CPS spokesperson, said:

“Mohammad Bashir is a determined jihadist and dangerous individual who was planning an attack that could have caused devastation.

“His actions demonstrate a deliberate and sustained commitment to violent extremism, including conducting reconnaissance, sharing extremist material, and discussing weapons and plans capable of causing significant harm.

“While Al Shamie ultimately carried out a separate attack independently, the evidence shows that Bashir played a key role in earlier preparations for a potential mass casualty incident.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Counter Terrorism Policing to build a strong case, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending.”

Building the case

Bashir and Al-Shamie would attend a mosque together frequently. They were caught on CCTV recordings discussing acquiring weapons, including crossbows, and preparing to say goodbye to loved ones.

On one recording Bashir said: “This time next year, we will be green birds”, which was a suggestion that Bashir saw himself as a Martyr dying in the cause of Allah.

The two shared voice notes and messages expressing their desire for Jihad and wishes to travel to Syria to fight for the Mujahideen.

In a WhatsApp group, Bashir shared over 100 attachments including extreme Islamic content.

Some of the attachments include audio books and videos from Anwar Al Awlaki, an extreme Islamic cleric and a leader in Al-Qaeda.

Bashir and Al-Shamie shared messages about the obligation of Jihad, extreme Islamic concepts including Sharia Law, rejecting democracy and mortgages, as well as the desire to get strong and be war ready.

Antisemitic and antichristian messages would be shared, with Bashir discussing extermination and the pursuit of martyrdom.

The prosecution argued that it was the influence of this extremist, jihadi mindset that led Bashir and Al-Shamie to begin planning a mass casualty attack.

On 14 August 2025, Bashir attended the Mosque with Al-Shamie, before returning home.

At 7.30am they began a ten-hour round trip from Manchester to Swindon. The purpose of this trip was to undertake hostile reconnaissance on the UK Defence Academy (UKDA).

It was at this location that Bashir and Al Shamie were planning a mass casualty attack.

Al Shamie had conducted searches for the journey to the UKDA, its location, and service stations on route.

He had also searched for the ‘worst Islamic terrorist attacks UK’ and ‘reconnaissance’.

Whilst at the base, notes on Al-Shamie's phone show that he managed to enter the reception area and made notes about the location and staff.

Seven weeks later, Al-Shamie chose the alternative target for the attack he carried out alone, while Bashir was in Pakistan. Bashir was quickly identified as an associate and arrested upon his return to the UK.

Notes to editors