Suspect allegedly co-ordinated anti-Semitic attacks while under refugee status in Britain
Mr X was able to settle in Britain under deep cover as an IT consultant in the suburbs of a large English city, despite reports that suggested his work for Haniyeh was public knowledge.
It has been reported that he was known to be the son of another senior Hamas official, and that he had been arrested in Egypt for operating a tunnel allegedly used to smuggle guns and gold into Gaza.
Nonetheless, he claimed asylum in 2015 and was granted indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office. It was also reported that after he attained citizenship, he attended demonstrations outside the Israeli embassy.
He was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in central London last November after Israel’s national intelligence agency, Mossad, and German security and intelligence services learned of the attack.
Terror plots on Jewish community
Mr X faces extradition to Germany, where he has been accused of being a leading figure in planning what is considered one of the worst terror plots in post-war Germany on Jewish community centres, Israeli diplomats and pro-Israel demonstrations.
According to a German indictment obtained by Bild, Mr X has been accused of transporting guns including handguns, live ammunition and items that could be used as a disguise to a storage facility in Vienna from Berlin.
His arrest was part of an effort by Berlin, with partners in Austria, Denmark and the UK, to detain seven suspects and gather guns that included an AK47.
The indictment also said that Mr X had pre-recorded a video in which he had appeared masked and armed in front of a Hamas flag. In it, he described the plot as an act of retribution for Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
Mr X cannot be identified because of a criminal case in Britain, for which he is in custody and awaiting trial.
It will be possible to name him once the proceedings in the UK are completed. Westminster magistrates’ court originally granted him a century of anonymity to avoid that case from being prejudiced.
However, the duration of the legal order was queried by the Sunday Times, which means Mr X can be named following the completion of separate proceedings.
If convicted, Mr X will serve a custodial sentence in Britain, then face extradition to Germany, where he is charged with procuring arms for Hamas.
Last week, police made two arrests in Manchester to prevent a “fairly imminent” anti-Semitic terrorist plot.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact our team at T & M Legis for a consultation with our Legal Experts.
