Man charged with terror offences after Manchester synagogue attack

A man has been charged with terror offences after allegations he drove the Manchester synagogue attacker to survey a UK defence facility.

Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, who lives in Cheetham Hill, has been charged with one count of preparation for acts of terrorism and three counts of dissemination of terrorism publications.

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by police in his attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Mr Bashir, who Greater Manchester Police said was British Pakistani, was known to attacker Al-Shamie but was not directly involved in the attack on 2 October.

He will also be prosecuted by the CPS with sharing material online with intent to encourage acts of terrorism.

Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service said there was “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”.

Mr Bashir is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.