Manchester Synagogue Terrorist Was on Bail for Alleged Rape

The Manchester synagogue attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, 35, was on police bail for an alleged rape when he carried out his deadly assault, The Guardian has revealed. The alleged sexual attack reportedly occurred earlier this year.

The Syrian-born attacker also had prior criminal convictions, though he was not under scrutiny by counter-terrorism authorities or MI5. Police stated that Shamie “may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology,” adding that establishing the full circumstances of the attack will likely take time.

On Thursday, Shamie attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in north Manchester, killing one Jewish man and seriously injuring several others before being shot dead by armed police. Greater Manchester Police later indicated that one of the fatalities may have resulted from police gunfire and that another victim might have been unintentionally injured during the intervention.

Authorities are investigating whether Shamie was responsible for a death threat sent to a former Conservative MP in 2012. He had not been referred to the anti-radicalisation programme Prevent and was not on the radar for terrorist activities.

Police named the two men killed as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66. Relatives described Cravitz as a “gentle giant,” while a Muslim neighbour of Daulby called him “one of the most fantastic men I ever knew.” Rabbi Daniel Walker, leading a service during the attack, recounted how Shamie attempted to force his way into the synagogue while shouting threats.

Three additional people—a man and two women aged between 18 and their mid-40s—were arrested on Friday, bringing the total held on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism to six.

Shamie, who obtained British citizenship in 2006, chose Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, to target worshippers. Counter-terrorism officers are working to piece together his background and motivations.

His father, Faraj al-Shamie, condemned the attack as a “heinous act” and distanced the family from the atrocity. Reports also indicated that Faraj had previously expressed support for the 7 October attacks on Israel on social media.

Political leaders visited Manchester to express solidarity. Keir Starmer urged respect for the grieving Jewish community, emphasizing that peaceful protests should not be used as a pretext for stoking antisemitism. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, addressing a vigil near the synagogue, was met with hostile reactions from some attendees.

Rabbi Walker highlighted the bravery of those who held the synagogue doors against the attacker, preventing further harm. He described the ordeal as a “shocking and terrifying” moment for the community, emphasizing the courage and resilience displayed during the attack.

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