Abdullah Albadri is in custody on remand after being convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey on 1 May 2026 of preparation of terrorist acts following his attempt to scale the fence of the Israeli Embassy in London while armed with two knives. Albadri, 34, was remanded in custody pending sentencing at a date yet to be confirmed.
What Did Abdullah Albadri Do?
On 28 April 2025, Abdullah Albadri attempted to scale an eight-foot-high fence surrounding the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, west London, while carrying two knives. Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police tackled him and detained him before he could gain access to the embassy grounds.
When confronted by officers, Albadri was filmed on police body cameras saying: “I wanna make a crime inside there, why are you stopping me?” A so-called martyrdom note was also found on his person when he was searched, in which he stated his intention to die “for the glory of God.” Police said he had walked from Kilburn to the embassy on foot before attempting to breach the perimeter fence.
The attack did not result in any injuries to embassy staff or bystanders. However, the clear intent expressed by Albadri — both verbally and in the written note — led prosecutors to pursue terrorism charges rather than lesser weapons offences.
Who Is Abdullah Albadri?
Abdullah Albadri is a 34-year-old Kuwaiti national who arrived in the United Kingdom just 16 days before the attempted attack, crossing the English Channel from France by small boat. His asylum application was refused by UK authorities in April 2025, shortly before the incident at the Israeli Embassy.
Albadri had previously entered the UK illegally on at least one prior occasion. At trial, he claimed that the knives were for his personal use as a homeless individual, and denied any intention to harm anyone inside the embassy. However, the jury rejected this defence, finding him guilty of all charges after nearly 14 hours of deliberation.
The Trial and Conviction
The case was tried at the Central Criminal Court — the Old Bailey — in London. On 1 May 2026, after deliberating for close to 14 hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts. Albadri was convicted of one count of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
The prosecution presented police body camera footage of Albadri’s verbal statements, the martyrdom note found on his person, and evidence regarding his route to the embassy. The court heard that Albadri had expressed a desire to “exact revenge” for the killing of children in Gaza, providing a clear ideological motive for the attempted attack.
Following the verdict, Albadri was remanded in custody to await sentencing. His time on remand since his arrest in April 2025 will count towards any custodial sentence he ultimately receives. For more information about how remand works in the English justice system, see our guide to remand prisons in the UK.
Likely Sentence and Remand Status
Preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in England and Wales. In practice, sentences for this offence vary considerably depending on the precise circumstances, the stage at which the plot was disrupted, and whether any harm actually occurred. Given that no one was injured and Albadri was stopped before entering the embassy, a judge is likely to consider these mitigating factors alongside the serious aggravating nature of the ideologically motivated attack.
Albadri has been held in custody since his arrest on 28 April 2025 — meaning he has already served over a year on remand by the time of his conviction. This time will be deducted from any sentence the judge imposes. Sentencing is expected to take place at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be fixed at the time of writing.
Wider Context: Terror Threat in the UK
The conviction of Abdullah Albadri came just one day after Britain’s security services raised the UK’s terrorism threat level to “severe” — the second-highest tier — meaning an attack is assessed as “highly likely in the next six months.” The timing was coincidental, but the two events together heightened public concern about the domestic terror threat.
The case also prompted political debate about the UK’s small boat asylum policy, given that Albadri had arrived by illegal channel crossing just weeks before the attack. His case followed the Golders Green terrorist stabbing on 29 April 2026 — in which Essa Suleiman was charged with the attempted murders of two Jewish men — creating an intense period of concern about antisemitic and Israel-related violence in the UK.
If you have a family member being held in a UK prison on remand, you can find useful information on how to book a prison visit or read our guide on sending money to a prisoner. For those seeking to understand terrorism sentencing in the UK more broadly, our prison sentences explained guide provides useful context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Abdullah Albadri in prison?
Abdullah Albadri is in prison on remand after being convicted on 1 May 2026 of preparation of terrorist acts and possession of two knives. He attempted to scale the fence of the Israeli Embassy in London while armed and carrying a martyrdom note, stating his intent to harm those inside. He is awaiting sentencing at the Old Bailey.
What was Abdullah Albadri convicted of?
Albadri was convicted of one count of preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of possession of a bladed article. The jury found him guilty after nearly 14 hours of deliberation at the Old Bailey on 1 May 2026.
How did Abdullah Albadri get to the UK?
Abdullah Albadri crossed the English Channel by small boat from France, arriving in the UK just 16 days before the attempted attack on the Israeli Embassy. His asylum application was refused by UK authorities shortly before the incident.
What sentence could Abdullah Albadri receive?
Preparation of terrorist acts carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in England and Wales. The actual sentence will depend on a range of factors, including the seriousness of the planning involved and the fact that no one was physically harmed. His time spent on remand since April 2025 will count towards any sentence imposed.
Is Abdullah Albadri still in custody?
Yes. Following his conviction on 1 May 2026, Albadri was remanded in custody to await sentencing. He has been held in custody since his arrest on 28 April 2025, meaning he has already served over a year in prison before being sentenced.
