Man accused of driving synagogue attacker to UK defence site charged with terror offences

A man has been charged with terror offences after allegations he drove the Manchester synagogue attacker to survey a UK defence facility.

Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, who lives in Cheetham Hill, North Manchester, has been charged with one count of preparation for acts of terrorism and three counts of dissemination of terrorism publications.

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by police in his attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Mr Bashir, who Greater Manchester Police said was British Pakistani, was known to Al-Shamie but was not directly involved in the attack on 2 October.

It is alleged that Mr Bashir took Al-Shamie to an unnamed defence facility on 14 August to carry out hostile reconnaissance.

He is also set be prosecuted for allegedly sharing material over WhatsApp with intent to encourage acts of terrorism.

Police arrested Mr Bashir on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism in the immediate aftermath of the synagogue attack but he was released without charges.

Officers arrested him again at Manchester Airport on 27 November on suspicion of the new offences.

Frank Ferguson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said there was sufficient evidence to charge Mr 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.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said the charges were not directly related to the synagogue attack "but come as a result of enquiries conducted by our investigation team".

Chief Constable Potts said the investigation into the attack "remains live" and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Bashir is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.