The suspect is not directly linked to the Yom Kippur attack, but "conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack," a counterterror police officer said.Follow us on GoogleBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer visit the site of the Manchester synagogue attack, where multiple people were killed on Yom Kippur in what police have declared a terrorist incident, in north Manchester, Britain, October 3, 2025.(photo credit: REUTERS/HANNAH MCKAY/FILE PHOTO)ByMICHAEL STARRJUNE 7, 2026 16:03A Manchester man pleaded guilty on Friday to preparation of terrorist acts with the October Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue attacker, Greater Manchester Police announced.Cheetham Hill resident Mohammad Asim Bashir had aided synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie by driving him to conduct reconnaissance of a UK defense facility in August, and discussed criteria for potential targets."Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions," Counter Terrorism Policing North West head Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said in a statement."We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing, which is due to take place in July."With the prosecution taking his guilty plea into consideration. The 32-year-old suspect is expected to be sentenced at a hearing in late July.Armed police officers talk with members of the Jewish community near Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, on October 2, 2025. (credit: Paul Currie/AFP via Getty Images)Manchester police probe deeper into the Yom Kippur terror attack Manchester police have continued an investigation into the associates of Al-Shamie since the Yom Kippur terrorist attack, in which the ISIS supporter rammed his vehicle into the Crumpsall synagogue before exiting the vehicle to stab congregants.A 49-year-old Higher Broughton resident was arrested on May 26 under suspicion of failing to disclose information relating to the attack that claimed the lives of two congregants and wounded three more.A 31-year-old man was arrested at Manchester Airport in November after arriving on an inbound flight, suspected of commission, preparation, and instigation of terrorist acts.Another man was arrested at the airport in October, suspected of failing to disclose information that could have stopped a terrorist attack. He had previously been arrested alongside a 61-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man. A 46-year-old woman, an 18-year-old woman, and a 43-year-old man were arrested in Farnworth, but the latter two were released.Shamie was shot to death by responding officers. Two congregants, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed in the attack, with Daulby slain by stray gunfire.“From the outset of our investigation into the tragic events at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, we have been unwavering in our commitment to establishing the full circumstances behind what happened," said Potts.“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”Follow us on Google