An alleged associate of the Manchester synagogue killer has appeared in court charged with driving the terrorist on a reconnaissance trip to the UK Defence Academy, two months before he launched a vehicle and knife attack.

Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, from Cheetham Hill, Manchester, is accused of assisting Jihad al-Shamie to commit acts of terrorism by driving him to the military school on August 14 this year.

He allegedly drove for five hours from Manchester, despite being uninsured, and the pair spent 13 minutes in the area of the Ministry of Defence site before returning.

The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom provides higher education for personnel in the British Armed Forces, Civil Service, other service personnel in other countries.

Bashir is also accused of three charges of disseminating terrorist publications in a WhatsApp messaging chat – a series of lectures called ‘The Book of Jihad,’ and further videos called ‘Obstacles in the Path of Jihad’ and ‘Virtues of Martyrs’ in November and December last year.

All are lectures by the former al-Qaeda ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki.

Bashir, a dual British and Pakistan citizen, left the country to travel to Pakistan two days after the attack and returned on November 27, when he was arrested at Manchester Airport.

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Synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie (pictured) died in the attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue

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. Mohammad Asim Bashir, 31, has been charged over allegations he helped Al-Shamie carry out ‘hostile’ reconnaissance of a UK defence facility in Oxfordshire (pictured)

Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a Syrian-born British citizen, drove his black Kia Picanto into a security guard outside Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester at 9.30am on October 2, before stabbing to death Melvin Cravitz, 66.

Al-Shamie, from Prestwich, Manchester, was wearing a fake suicide vest and was shot dead by armed police as worshippers barricaded themselves inside the synagogue.

A stray bullet killed Adrian Daulby, 53, who was among those preventing the attacker getting inside.

Mohammad Bashir, on August 14 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 a UK defence location to carry out hostile reconnaissance.

Charge two 

Mohammad Bashir, on November 8 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.

Charge three

Mohammad Bashir, on December 15 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.

Charge four 

Mohammad Bashir, on December 18 2024, transmitted the contents of a terrorist publication electronically, namely a video called ‘Virtues of Martyrs’ in to a WhatsApp chat group.

Bashir appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court with a shaved head and large beard, dressed in a black t-shirt and with a grey sweatshirt around his shoulders.

He spoke only to give his date of birth and address.

There was no application for bail and Bashir was remanded in custody by District Judge Nina Tempia to appear at the Old Bailey on December 12.

Bashir was charged with four terrorism offences yesterday afternoon.

He is accused of aiding Al-Shamie with the earlier hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility – around six weeks before he went on to attack the Heaton Park Synagogue.

Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘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.’

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.

‘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.’