Man convicted of planning terrorist attack at Embassy of Israel

A man has been convicted of planning a terrorist attack at the Embassy of Israel in London.

34-year-old Abdullah Sabah Albadri attempted to gain entry to the diplomatic premises in Kensington on 28 April last year armed with two knives. 

Armed officers from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command immediately intervened and prevented Albadri from climbing over the gates of the Embassy.

An investigation by CTP detectives found that Albadri wanted to attack the Israeli embassy as an act of revenge against the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.

He told officers he had weapons and wanted to 'make a crime' inside the Embassy.

Officers found two knives with red-and-white handles inside his pockets. Albadri also had a martyrdom note on him when he was arrested, which explained that he intended to die, in his words, “for the glory of God”.

Analysis of Albadri’s phone by the investigation team revealed that, in the days before he attempted to enter the Embassy, he had researched its location. Officers also found he had also searched several Arabic terms related to suicide and martyrdom during the five days leading up to his arrest.

Albadri was convicted of one count of preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act, 2006 and two counts of possession of a pointed or bladed article, contrary to section 139(1) and (6) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1988. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, said: “Albadri wanted to carry out a terrorist attack at the Embassy, but thanks to the courageous and swift actions of officers on duty, they prevented him from breaching the security perimeter and stopped what could have been a deadly incident.

“I want to praise the officers’ incredible bravery and professionalism, which, remarkably, resulted in nobody being seriously injured – despite being confronted by a man armed with knives, intent on carrying out a terrorist attack.

“Those officers responded within seconds, and after his safe arrest, a thorough investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London ensured we gathered the evidence that secured this conviction.

“Sadly, the Embassy has faced various security alerts in recent times. However, CTP works closely with the Embassy and our colleagues in the Met to continuously review and strengthen protective security plans to ensure the site and the wider community is kept as safe as possible.”