Jihad Al Shami, a terrorist involved in the Manchester Synagogue attack, was released on bail for an alleged rape charge at the time of the incident.
Police had previously detained six individuals related to the recent knife and car attack led by Jihad Al Shami, a 35-year-old Syrian immigrant. He was killed by law enforcement after driving a car into worshippers and attacking them with a knife during the Heaton Park Hebrew Conference on Thursday.
The British citizen originally from Syria was reportedly not on any government watch list for suspected terrorists. However, the Greater Manchester Police believe Al Shami may have been driven by an “extreme Islamist ideology.”
GMP has confirmed that he had been arrested for suspected rape and was on bail at the time of the attack on the synagogue.
In a police statement, authorities indicated that they are still trying to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the attack, mentioning, “We think Al Shami might have been influenced by an extreme Islamist ideology; it will take time to fully understand what happened.”
They have since arrested three additional individuals, including one man and two women, aged between 18 and their mid-40s, under suspicions related to terrorism offenses.
On Friday, police identified the two victims of the attack as Adrian Dowlby, 53, and Melvin Kravitz, 66. Three more victims remain hospitalized with serious injuries.
The government, including Prime Minister Kier and Interior Secretary Shabana Mahmoud, urged organizers of pro-Palestinian protests planned over the weekend to cancel them in remembrance of the victims.
Nevertheless, a group opposing the ban on Palestine’s actions stated they would proceed with their demonstration, as reported.
The left-leaning government has faced backlash from the Jewish community regarding the attacks, particularly as Deputy Prime Minister David Lamy was booed during a vigil for the victims. Attendees, primarily from Manchester’s Jewish population, expressed their frustration with chants directed at him, suggesting he was complicit in the violence.
Critics have accused the government of “rewarding terrorism” by recognizing Palestine as a nation while hostages remain in Gaza, a situation complicated by the actions of Hamas terrorists in the recent October 7th attack.
