An alleged close associate of the Manchester synagogue knifeman has formally 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.
Plea entered at the Old Bailey
Hekmat Ali Hakim, 49, from Salford, appeared via video link from prison at the Old Bailey on Friday and pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose information.
Setting out the facts of the case, prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC claimed the defendant – an Iraqi national – was a close associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, who carried out a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. He alleged that Hakim, of St James Road, Higher Broughton, failed to disclose that information.
Charge details and trial date
The charges state that between August 13 and October 3 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, and failed to disclose that information as soon as reasonably practicable to a constable.
A trial date was set for May 17, 2027, at Manchester Crown Court. Hakim had indicated not guilty pleas at an earlier hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and was formally arraigned on Friday (September 25).
Remand and background
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.
Mr Cravitz, 66, died from multiple knife wounds inflicted by Al-Shamie while Mr Daulby, 53, was struck by a single gunshot wound to the chest fired by an armed police officer scrambled to the scene in Crumpsall. Three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries and later released.
