A man who attempted to scale the fence of the Israeli embassy in London while armed with two knives has been linked to two previous arrivals in the UK via small boat from France, according to evidence presented to a jury. Abdullah Albadri, 34, is currently on trial at the Old Bailey, facing charges of preparing terrorist acts and possession of bladed weapons.
Albadri was apprehended on April 28, 2022, by armed diplomatic protection officers who observed him trying to climb the 8-foot (2.4 meters) high fence surrounding the embassy. The prosecution revealed that earlier that day, Albadri had sent a message to his mother stating, „I chose the path of martyrdom.“
Catherine Pattison, representing the prosecution, informed the jury that in addition to the knives, law enforcement officials discovered several pieces of paper, one of which was described as a martyrdom note. This note, according to the prosecution, indicated the intentions of an individual who expects to die or be killed while pursuing a specific religious, political, or ideological cause.
Albadri had first entered the UK by small boat from France on August 5, 2021, but left the country by November 2021. He re-entered the UK on April 12, 2022, again via small boat, and was subsequently provided temporary accommodation at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
In a draft email recovered from his phone, Albadri described himself as a „human rights activist“ who had faced arrest in Kuwait and claimed that both his life and that of his family were under threat. Following his arrival, he engaged with charities assisting asylum seekers, including Migrant Help and Care4Calais, and interacted with members of the Kuwaiti community in London.
However, Pattison emphasized to the jury that Albadri’s focus extended beyond his asylum application, suggesting that he harbored more sinister intentions. On April 24, just days after his arrival in the UK, he was reportedly searching for the Israeli embassy on his phone and researching religious laws concerning suicide.
On the morning of April 28, while still in communication with charities regarding his asylum status, Albadri sent a photograph of a handwritten note to his mother. This image included a knife with a red and white handle. The note concluded with the declaration, „I will not go back on my decision to go in the cause of Allah, to come out for His sake and to stand up to the enemies in order to support the religion of Allah Almighty.“
„This is the note that would have been found with his dead body. A note written by him at a time when he intended to die, or expected to be killed in his pursuit of a specific religious, political or ideological cause,“ Pattison stated.
Following this, Albadri made his way to the Israeli embassy. According to the prosecution, he did not hesitate in his actions. Upon arriving at the embassy, he immediately attempted to climb over the fence.
Wearing sunglasses and a traditional red and white shemagh scarf that obscured his face, Albadri was intercepted by two armed officers who prevented him from breaching the embassy grounds. Pattison noted, „Had it not been for the police there, he would have got over it.“ When questioned by the officers about whether he possessed any items that could harm them, Albadri reportedly responded, „I got my weapons“ while gesturing towards his pockets.
He further stated, „I wanna make a crime inside there, why are you stopping me? Why are you stopping me from making crimes?“ A few moments later, he expressed frustration, saying, „Why didn’t you let me in? I didn’t do what I wanted to do.“ These exchanges were recorded on the officers‘ body-worn cameras.
After being taken into custody at Hammersmith Police station, a police sergeant inquired whether Albadri intended to harm himself upon release. Albadri replied, „I’m gonna go back yeah,“ to which the officer asked, „Where, get back where?“ Albadri responded, „The embassy.“
The prosecution indicated that Albadri’s defense may argue that he did not intend to commit any acts of terrorism at the embassy and that he possessed the knives for reasons unrelated to his actions that day. Albadri has denied the charges of preparing terrorist acts and two counts of possession of a bladed article. The trial is anticipated to last approximately ten days.
Bildquelle: Foto von Georg Eiermann auf Unsplash
