A man arrested in connection with the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue has been charged with terrorism offences that are not directly linked to the attack.
Mohammad Bashir, 31, became the seventh person to be arrested in connection with the attack at Manchester Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall when he was detained by police after arriving on an inbound flight at Manchester airport.
He has been charged with allegedly assisting Manchester synagogue terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie by driving him to a UK defence facility to carry out reconnaissance.
Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed after Jihad Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue and then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.
Terrorist Al-Shamie made a call to the police during the attack, where he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The 35-year-old perpetrator was shot dead by armed police.
Three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries following the attack, which led to Salford Royal Hospital being temporarily locked down and saw the police presence in Jewish communities across Salford being stepped up.
Both men were laid to rest in Salford with Daulby – described as a “hero” who attempted to barricade the synagogue door and protect worshippers from the attack – buried at Agecroft Jewish Cemetery.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, was honoured at a funeral service in Pendlebury.
Bashir will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with four terrorism offences, including preparation for acts of terrorism.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the alleged offender is a British national whose self-defined ethnicity is British Pakistani.
He arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism in relation to the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Thursday 2 October but was released without charge in relation to this.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “Following charging authority being granted by the CPS, this morning we have charged Mohammad Asim Bashir with a number of terrorism offences, including preparation for acts of terrorism.
“These charges aren’t directly linked to the terrorist attack which took place at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue but have come as a result of enquiries conducted by our investigation team.
“Bashir has been released without charge in relation to the terrorist attack. However, he has been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow to face the charges authorised today.
“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.
“I would also like to once again thank members of the community for their continued patience and support as we conduct our enquiries.”
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, 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.
“We have worked closely with Counter Terrorism Policing North West as they carried out their investigation.”
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