Man arrested climbing into Israeli embassy had arrived on small boat twice, court hears
Man Arrested Climbing into Israeli Embassy Had Arrived on Small Boat Twice, Court Hears
Abdullah Albadri, a 34-year-old defendant, was detained while attempting to scale the perimeter of the Israeli embassy in London, according to the prosecution. During the arrest, he was found in possession of two knives, and the incident occurred on 28 April of last year. The trial at the Old Bailey centers on charges of preparing for terrorist acts and carrying weapons.
Albadri’s movements prior to the arrest included two crossings into the UK via small boats from France. His initial arrival took place on 5 August 2021, but he left the country by November 2023. He returned to the UK on 12 April last year, again using a boat. Temporary shelter was provided to him at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
“He was still in contact with charities assisting asylum seekers, including Migrant Help and Care4Calais, and had meetings with members of the Kuwaiti community in London,” Pattison said. “Yet, his intent extended beyond his asylum application.”
Two days before the arrest, Albadri was observed searching for the Israeli embassy on his phone and reviewing religious laws related to suicide, the prosecution claimed. A draft email, recovered from his device, described him as a “human rights activist” who had been detained in Kuwait and faced threats to his and his family’s safety.
“As well as the knives, officers also found several documents, including a handwritten note that outlined a martyrdom plan,” Pattison stated. “This note, which he sent to his mother via WhatsApp, reflects a resolve to sacrifice his life for a cause aligned with religious, political, or ideological goals.”
The note, which concluded with a declaration of loyalty to Allah, was accompanied by an image of a knife with a red and white handle. Albadri’s message to his mother, “I chose the path of martyrdom,” was sent shortly before he approached the embassy. According to the prosecution, he had no hesitation in his actions and immediately began climbing the 8ft (2.4m) fence, despite being intercepted by armed officers.
“He did not linger or delay, instead rushing toward the embassy grounds with determination,” Pattison added. “When asked if he had weapons, he replied, ‘I got my weapons’ and pointed to his pockets, questioning why the officers were preventing him from carrying out his plan.”
During the confrontation, Albadri claimed, “Why didn’t you let me in? I didn’t do what I wanted to do.” The exchange was recorded by body-worn cameras. Later, at Hammersmith Police Station, he told a sergeant, “I’m gonna go back yeah,” specifying the embassy as his destination. The prosecution argues that his actions on the day of the arrest were deliberate and aimed at executing a terrorist act.
Albadri denies the charge of preparing for terrorist acts, asserting that the knives were unrelated to his intentions. His defense claims the incident was a result of personal circumstances rather than any plot against the embassy.
