'I was just playing a role'

ALLEGED ISIS TERRORIST CLAIMS HE PLANNED TO 'SABOTAGE' PLOT TO MURDER JEWS

- by JOHN SCHEERHOUT

Walid Saadaoui

AN ALLEGED Islamic State fanatic accused of plotting the mass murder of Jews has told a jury: “I never had any intention to carry out a terrorist attack - I was just playing a role.”

Tunisia-born Walid Saadaoui, who denies terror charges, told a court: “I had no intention to carry out a terrorist attack or harm any body. That's not who I am.

“That's not my ideology.”

Saadaoui said he acted under threat from a member of ISIS and intended to 'sabotage' the plot by destroying guns smuggled into the country and calling the police.

The 38-year-old, of Crankwood Road, Abram, Wigan; and his coaccused, Amar Hussein, 52, of no fixed abode, deny terror charges.

They are accused of a plot to murder 'as many Jews as possible' in Manchester in the summer of 2024.

Saadaoui was arrested in the car park of The Last Drop hotel north of Bolton on May 8, 2024, before the alleged summer 2024 plot.