CPS announces charges against Jihad Al-Shamie associate for assisting in the preparation of acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications online
The Crown Prosecution Service has today announced Mohammad Bashir, 31, has been charged with four terrorism offences – following allegations that he assisted the Manchester Synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie, who went on to attack the Manchester Synagogue, with the earlier hostile reconnaissance of the UK defence location.
The assistance provided was not in relation to the attack on the Manchester Synagogue by Al-Shamie.
He will also be prosecuted by the CPS with sharing material online with intent to encourage acts of terrorism.
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said:
“Today, we have decided to prosecute Mohammad Bashir with terrorism offences – following a Counter Terrorism Policing North West investigation into his conduct linked to Jihad Al Shamie.
“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."
Mohammad Bashir will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2025.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “Following charging authority being granted by the CPS, this morning we have charged Mohammad Asim Bashir with a number of terrorism offences, including preparation for acts of terrorism.
“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.
“Bashir has been released without charge in relation to the terrorist attack. However, he has been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow to face the charges authorised today.
“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.
“I would also like to once again thank members of the community for their continued patience and support as we conduct our enquiries.”
We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has a right to a fair trial.
It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
Notes to editors
- Mohammad Bashir (DOB: 18/09/94) is from Manchester.
He has been charged with: - Charge 1
- Mohammad Bashir, on 14 August 2025, with the intention of assisting Jihad Al-Shamie to commit acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to his intention, namely drove Jihad Al-Shamie to the UK defence location to carry out hostile reconnaissance.
- Contrary to section 5 Terrorism Act 2006
- Charge 2
- Mohammad Bashir, on 8 November 2024, transmitted the contents of a terrorist publication electronically, namely a series of lectures called ‘The Book of Jihad’ in to a WhatsApp chat group, and at the time he did so intended or was reckless as to whether an effect of his conduct would be a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
- Contrary to section 2(1) and section 2(2)(e) of the Terrorism Act 2006
- Charge 3
- Mohammad Bashir, on 15 December 2024, transmitted the contents of a terrorist publication electronically, namely a video called ‘Obstacles in the Path of Jihad’ in to a WhatsApp chat group , and at the time he did so intended or was reckless as to whether an effect of his conduct would be a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
- Contrary to section 2(1) and section 2(2)(d) of the Terrorism Act 2006
- Charge 4
- Mohammad Bashir, on 18 December 2024, transmitted the contents of a terrorist publication electronically, namely a video called ‘Virtues of Martyrs’ in to a WhatsApp chat group, and at the time he did so intended or was reckless as to whether an effect of his conduct would be a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
- Contrary to section 2(1) and section 2(2)(d) of the Terrorism Act 2006