Man charged with terrorism offences following synagogue-related arrest at Manchester Airport

Thursday, 4 December 2025 16:10

By David Murphy

Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, was detained at Manchester Airport on 27 November. He has now been charged with one count of preparing for acts of terrorism and three counts of disseminating terrorist publications.

Police say the charges are not directly linked to the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, which took place on 2 October. Bashir was initially arrested on suspicion of involvement in that incident but has since been released without charge in relation to it.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North West. Bashir is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 5 December.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “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.

“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.”

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the charges relate to Bashir’s “conduct linked to Jihad Al-Shamie”.

He added: “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.”

GMP have thanked the public for their support and patience during the inquiry.