Abdullah Albadri, a 34-year-old man, is in custody after being convicted on 1 May 2026 at the Old Bailey of preparation of terrorist acts following a chilling attempt to breach the Israeli Embassy in west London while armed with two knives. Albadri disguised himself, travelled deliberately across the capital to the embassy, and attempted to scale its perimeter fence before being detained within seconds by armed diplomatic protection officers.

Who Is Abdullah Albadri?

Abdullah Albadri was born on 28 December 1991 and was 34 years old at the time of his conviction in May 2026. He was convicted at the Old Bailey — England’s Central Criminal Court — following a jury trial that focused on the events of 28 April 2025, when Albadri made his way across London to the Israeli Embassy in west London with the stated intention of using or threatening serious violence.

Prosecutors described his actions as deliberate and carefully planned. Digital evidence recovered from his mobile phone revealed that he had repeatedly searched for the location of the Israeli Embassy in the days and hours leading up to the attack, demonstrating that this was not an impulsive act but a premeditated operation. He had also written what was described in court as a martyrdom note on the day of the incident.

What Did He Do?

On the evening of 28 April 2025, Abdullah Albadri dressed to conceal his identity — wearing a red-and-white shemagh wrapped around his head and face, and sunglasses — before travelling across London to the Israeli Embassy. Shortly before 6pm, he arrived outside the embassy and immediately attempted to climb the perimeter fence. He was carrying two knives concealed in his clothing.

Armed diplomatic protection officers detained him within seconds before he was able to enter the embassy grounds. The two knives were recovered from his clothing following his arrest. CCTV footage traced his movements across London over almost an hour prior to the incident, providing a clear record of his journey to the target location. The deliberate nature of his approach, his disguise, his weapons, and the martyrdom note he had written all formed part of the prosecution’s case that his actions were driven by an intention to use violence to make a political statement.

How Did Prosecutors Prove Terrorism?

The central question for the jury was not whether Albadri had carried knives and tried to climb the embassy fence — this was not disputed — but why he had done so. Proving terrorism requires demonstrating that the defendant intended to use or threaten serious violence and that this was designed to influence a government or advance a political, religious, racial, or ideological cause.

Prosecutors relied on a combination of evidence including CCTV footage showing his movements over the hour before the incident; digital material from his phone showing repeated location searches for the embassy; handwritten notes described as a martyrdom note; and words he spoke before and after his arrest. Together, this evidence convinced the jury that Albadri had selected the Israeli Embassy as a symbolic target representing the Israeli state, and that he intended to use or threaten violence against it to make a political statement. The jury found him guilty of preparation of terrorist acts.

Conviction and Charges

Abdullah Albadri was convicted on 1 May 2026 at the Old Bailey of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place. He is awaiting sentencing. The preparation of terrorist acts offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which UK law treats terrorism planning even where no attack is ultimately carried out.

Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said that Albadri had “deliberately armed himself, concealed his identity and attempted to climb into a diplomatic site while carrying knives.” She described how the evidence showed planning and preparation, driven by an intention to use violence to make a political statement, and that thanks to the swift response of officers, no one was harmed. Albadri will be held on remand until his sentencing hearing. Those remanded in custody can receive visits from family members — our guide explains how booking a prison visit works.

Diplomatic Security and UK Terrorism Law

Diplomatic premises in the United Kingdom benefit from heightened security under international law, specifically the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which requires host states to protect foreign embassies from intrusion or damage. Armed diplomatic protection officers are deployed to high-risk missions in the UK specifically to deter and respond to incidents like the one Albadri attempted.

Under the Terrorism Act 2006, section 5 — preparation of terrorist acts — criminalises conduct intended to assist with the commission of an act of terrorism. This is one of the most serious terrorism offences in English law and reflects parliament’s intention to intervene at the earliest possible stage in the planning of political violence. The Parole Board applies particularly rigorous standards to terrorism offenders when considering any future release applications. Those receiving sentences under terrorism legislation are also subject to strict notification requirements on release from custody. Family members wanting to send money to a prisoner on remand can do so through the Prison Service’s official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Abdullah Albadri in prison?

Abdullah Albadri is in custody on remand after being convicted on 1 May 2026 at the Old Bailey of preparation of terrorist acts. He attempted to breach the Israeli Embassy in London on 28 April 2025 while wearing a disguise and carrying two knives, and had written a martyrdom note on the day of the attack.

What charges was Abdullah Albadri convicted of?

Albadri was convicted of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place. The terrorism charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

What evidence was used against Abdullah Albadri?

Prosecutors used CCTV footage tracing his route to the embassy, digital evidence from his mobile phone showing repeated searches for the embassy location, a handwritten martyrdom note written on the day of the incident, and statements made before and after his arrest to prove his terrorist intent.

Has Abdullah Albadri been sentenced yet?

As of May 2026, Abdullah Albadri has been convicted but not yet sentenced. He is being held on remand pending his sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey. The preparation of terrorist acts offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

What is the Terrorism Act 2006 section 5?

Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 criminalises the preparation of terrorist acts. It covers any conduct that is intended to assist with or prepare for the commission of a terrorist act, even if no attack actually takes place. It is one of the most serious offences in English terrorism law and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.