Man denies charges over synagogue attack

An alleged "close associate" of the Manchester synagogue knife attacker has denied failing to disclose information in relation to the terror attack.

Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove into the gates of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in October last year, and then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.

Hekmat Ali Hakim, 49, of Salford, Greater Manchester, appeared via video link from prison at the Old Bailey on Friday and pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC said the Iraqi national was a "close associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, who carried out a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester".

He said Hakim allegedly "failed to disclose that information".

The charges state that between 13 August and 3 October last year, Hakim had information which he knew or believed might be of material assistance in preventing the commission by Al-Shamie of an act of terrorism in the UK.

They also state he failed to disclose that information as soon as reasonably practicable to a police officer.

A trial date was set for 17 May 2027 at Manchester Crown Court.

Hakim was formally arraigned on Friday.

The defendant, who was accompanied by an interpreter throughout the hearing, was remanded in custody.

Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born British citizen, was shot dead by police on the day of the attack, which took place on Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the year for Jews.

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