Key facts
- Mohammad Asim Bashir admitted preparing an act of terrorism.
- Bashir drove Jihad Al-Shamie to the UK Defence Academy for reconnaissance.
- Al-Shamie later carried out a fatal synagogue attack.
- Messages between Bashir and Al-Shamie indicated shared extremist views and discussions of violent jihad.
Mohammad Asim Bashir, an associate of the Manchester synagogue attacker, has admitted preparing to commit a terrorist act by driving the attacker to the UK's Defence Academy for reconnaissance.
Bashir, 31, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to preparing to commit a terrorist act with Jihad Al-Shamie. The court heard that Bashir drove Al-Shamie to the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, on 14 August 2025, to carry out a hostile reconnaissance mission. This occurred weeks before Al-Shamie attacked worshippers at Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, on 2 October, killing two men.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC stated that Bashir is a "long-standing, committed jihadist" and that the planned attack on the Defence Academy was similar in nature to the synagogue attack, which aimed to cause multiple fatalities with national and international impact. Analysis of WhatsApp messages between Bashir and Al-Shamie revealed they shared an extremist worldview and discussed "violent jihad" and "getting ready for 'war'".
CCTV footage played in court showed the men discussing potential targets and Al-Shamie accessing websites related to the Defence Academy and the Israel-Gaza war. Bashir was also seen making a gesture associated with jihadist groups. The journey from Manchester to Shrivenham and back took approximately 10 hours.
Al-Shamie, 35, was killed by police at the scene of the synagogue attack after killing Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby. Bashir travelled to Pakistan following the synagogue attack but was arrested at Manchester Airport upon his return. Three other charges of disseminating terrorist publications will lie on file.
Bashir was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing, scheduled for 20 and 21 July at Manchester Crown Court.