Counter-terrorism police have charged a 49-year-old man in connection with the attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, which took place on 2 October 2025. Hekmat Omar Ali Hakim, of St James Road, Higher Broughton, Salford, faces a charge of failing to disclose information about terrorist activity and has been remanded to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday.
According to GB News, Hakim is an Iraqi national and the charge falls under Section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000, which covers the failure to disclose information that could help prevent an act of terrorism.
What happened during the attack?
The assault occurred on the morning of Thursday 2 October 2025, which fell on Yom Kippur, when Jihad Al-Shamie attacked worshippers outside the synagogue in a combined car and stabbing assault. Al-Shamie was shot dead by police at the scene. Two men, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed, and, according to The Telegraph, three other men were seriously injured.
How does this charge fit into the wider investigation?
Police have confirmed the new charge against Hakim relates directly to the October attack, though it comes months after the incident itself. The case follows other developments in the inquiry into Al-Shamie's actions and the security failures surrounding them. In a separate case, Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, was described in court as a "long-standing, committed jihadist" after admitting he had helped plan an act of terrorism by joining Al-Shamie on a reconnaissance trip. Bashir was subsequently jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years for driving Al-Shamie on a 10-hour reconnaissance journey on 14 August 2025, weeks before the attack. Separately, Greater Manchester Police has apologised after admitting that phones seized from Al-Shamie before the attack were never examined, raising questions about whether warning signs were missed.
What happens next?
Hakim is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, where the charge against him will be formally addressed. Reporting on the case has varied slightly on timing, with one outlet describing the hearing as taking place "tomorrow" from the date of its report, while police and other coverage have specified Friday as the court date.
- Hekmat Omar Ali Hakim, 49, of Higher Broughton, Salford, has been charged with failing to disclose information about terrorism.
- The charge relates to the 2 October 2025 attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, which killed Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz.
- Attacker Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by police at the scene.
- Hakim is due before Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday.
- A separate defendant, Mohammad Asim Bashir, was jailed for life last month for helping plan a related reconnaissance trip with Al-Shamie.
