In a chilling courtroom revelation, it has emerged that the mastermind behind the devastating 2015 Paris attacks was worshipped as an Islamic 'saint' by a UK-based terror cell.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard how Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the ISIS terrorist who orchestrated the massacre that claimed 130 lives, became an object of veneration for British extremists allegedly planning similar atrocities on home soil.
The 'Saint' of Terror
Prosecutors disclosed that Walid Saadaoui, 36, and his co-accused Amar Hussein, 35, regarded Abaaoud as a martyred hero whose violent legacy they sought to continue. The court was told the men maintained a 'terrorist mindset' and were actively preparing for attacks in the UK.
'They worshipped the Paris attackers and in particular Abdelhamid Abaaoud,' prosecutor Bridget Fitzpatrick stated during the hearing. 'They treated him as a saint.'
A Network of Extremism
The disturbing details emerged during proceedings against Saadaoui and Hussein, who face charges of preparing terrorist acts. Both men spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth during the brief hearing.
Evidence presented to the court painted a picture of a sophisticated terror cell inspired by the deadliest attack on European soil in recent memory. The Paris atrocities of November 13, 2015, saw coordinated assaults on the Bataclan concert hall, Parisian cafés, and the Stade de France.
Ongoing Threat to National Security
Security services believe the UK-based cell represented a significant threat to public safety. The defendants are accused of being at an 'advanced stage' of planning attacks when they were apprehended in counter-terrorism operations.
The case highlights the enduring influence of ISIS ideology and the challenge facing security services in combating homegrown extremism. The worship of dead terrorists as martyrs remains a concerning trend within radical Islamist circles.
Both defendants have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing on December 13. The case continues to develop as more evidence comes to light about the extent of the alleged plot.
