Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein were sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court on 13 February 2026 for plotting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. Saadaoui received a minimum term of 37 years; Hussein received a minimum term of 26 years. The attack, which would have targeted hundreds of people, was foiled by an undercover police operation.

What Was the Manchester Terror Plot?

Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein were convicted in December 2025 of preparing acts of terrorism, contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2006. Their plan involved smuggling four military-grade AK-47 rifles, two pistols, and 900 rounds of ammunition into the United Kingdom and using them to carry out a mass shooting targeting Jewish people in Manchester. The planned attack had two phases. First, the attackers intended to open fire on a large anti-antisemitism march taking place in Manchester city centre, targeting hundreds of attendees. The second phase involved hijacking an ambulance, dressing in paramedic uniforms, and driving to Cheetham Hill, an area of north Manchester with a large Jewish population, to continue the attack. Had it succeeded, the attack would have been one of the deadliest terrorist atrocities ever committed on British soil.

Who Are Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein?

Walid Saadaoui, 38, was the primary instigator of the plot. He moved from Great Yarmouth to the North West of England in the period before the planned attack and did not take up employment, instead devoting his time to preparation. He posted Islamic State propaganda on multiple Facebook accounts and sought to encourage others to commit acts of violence in the name of ISIS. Amar Hussein, 52, was a co-conspirator who became closely involved in the planning of the attack. A third man, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, Walid’s younger brother, was convicted of the lesser offence of failing to disclose to authorities information he knew about the plot. He received a six-year prison sentence. All three were convicted following a trial at Preston Crown Court and sentenced in February 2026.

What Sentences Did They Receive?

Walid Saadaoui was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 37 years. Amar Hussein was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years. Bilel Saadaoui received a determinate sentence of six years. The combined total of the sentences imposed on the three men amounts to 69 years. Mr Justice Mark Wall, who presided over the sentencing, described the plot as one of the most serious terrorist conspiracies he had encountered. A life sentence with a minimum term means the offender cannot be considered for release by the Parole Board until they have served at least the minimum term specified by the judge. Even after the minimum term is served, release is not automatic — the Parole Board must be satisfied that it is safe to release the prisoner. To understand how life sentences work in the UK, visit our guide to the UK Parole Board.

How Was the Plot Foiled?

The plot was uncovered through an undercover intelligence operation. Walid Saadaoui came into contact online with a man he believed shared his extremist views. The two exchanged messages over a period of time, with Saadaoui becoming increasingly explicit about his intention to conduct a terrorist attack against Jewish people. The man Saadaoui believed to be a fellow extremist was in fact an undercover operative, known in the proceedings by the pseudonym “Farouk,” whose identity was protected by the court. The operative gathered the evidence needed to bring the prosecution. Counter Terrorism Policing North West led the investigation in conjunction with MI5 and the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division. The use of undercover operatives is a lawful and established technique in serious terrorism investigations in the United Kingdom.

Terrorism Laws and Sentencing in the UK

The offence of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 is one of the most serious terrorism offences in English law. It is designed to catch those who have not yet carried out an attack but have taken concrete steps towards doing so. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment, and in cases involving plots of this severity, courts will invariably impose a life sentence with a significant minimum term. The UK has a range of counter-terrorism tools including proscription of organisations, control orders, terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIMs), and extensive surveillance powers. UK prisons hold a number of individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences, many of whom are held in specialist separation centres designed to prevent the radicalisation of other prisoners. For more about how UK prisons manage dangerous prisoners, see our guide to Category A prisons in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein in prison?

Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein are in prison for planning an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Manchester. They planned to use military-grade weapons to carry out a mass shooting targeting hundreds of people. Both were convicted in December 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court on 13 February 2026.

How long are Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein in prison for?

Walid Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years. Amar Hussein received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years. Neither can be considered for release by the Parole Board until they have each served their minimum term. Even after that, release is not automatic and depends on the Parole Board being satisfied that it is safe to release them.

What was the Manchester ISIS terror plot?

The Manchester ISIS terror plot involved plans to smuggle AK-47 rifles and ammunition into the UK and use them to attack a Jewish march in Manchester city centre, before continuing the attack in Cheetham Hill. The plot was foiled by an undercover operative who infiltrated Walid Saadaoui’s network. The three convicted men received a combined total of 69 years in prison.

How was the Manchester terror plot discovered?

The plot was discovered when Walid Saadaoui made contact online with a man he believed shared his extremist views. That man was in fact an undercover operative, known in court proceedings as “Farouk,” who gathered evidence of the conspiracy. Counter Terrorism Policing North West and MI5 worked together on the investigation.

What sentence does preparation of terrorist acts carry in the UK?

Preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In serious cases such as the Manchester ISIS terror plot, courts impose life sentences with substantial minimum terms. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offending and the need to protect the public from individuals who pose an extreme danger.