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An alleged Islamic State fanatic accused of plotting a terror attack on Jews in Manchester told an undercover operative posing as a jihadi 'we are suicidal with Allah's permission' and 'we have pledged to die brother - this is not a joke'. Tunisia-born former restaurateur Walid Saadaoui was said to have made the comments six days before guns and ammunition were to be smuggled through Dover for the attack, jurors were told. Mr Saadaoui denies terror charges in a trial at Preston Crown Court together with his co-accused Amar Hussein. Walid's brother Bilel Saadaoui denies failing to disclose acts of terrorism. As the trial resumed today (November 3, 2025), an undercover operative named only Farouk began his 12th day in the witness box, giving evidence from behind a screen. The jury heard that Farouk reassured Walid Saadaoui that a corrupt French border official said to have been recruited would ensure that his car, in which guns and ammunition were said to be hidden, would not be sent through a scanner. "If he didn't do his job I'll go and slaughter him," Walid told Farouk in conversation between them on May 2, 2024. The agent told the jury he thought the defendant was 'serious' about the threat. The defendant was unaware Farouk was an undercover operative and that their conversations were being recorded. The jury heard Farouk suggested he was concerned if 'anything happened' at the border, and Walid told Farouk: "We will directly, we are suicidal with Allah's permission... We'll be throwing ourselves into death going forward and not turning back fleeing. We have pledged to die." Farouk said: "May Allah bless you brother, may Allah reward you." The defendant went on: "We have pledged to die brother, this is not a joke.... Your life is our life, Glory be to Allah." Walid Saadaoui promised Farouk that 'real men' would be waiting for him in England, the jury heard. Asked by prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC what the defendant meant by the reference to 'real men', the undercover operative agent told the jury: "I believe he's referring to himself and Amar." Pressed on how serious Walid was when he spoke, Farouk told the court: "In my opinion I believed he was sincere and committed." The witness told the court he was suggesting to Walid Saadaoui that the agent 'would start shooting until I get martyrdom." Earlier Farouk told Walid Saadaoui that he had told his wife she would be coming with him on the May 8 trip, and that she would be on holiday while he was conducting business. The witness told the defendant that the move was to reduce the chances of being stopped at the border, the court heard. The defendant later suggested to Farouk his wife should wear a coloured hijab rather than a black one. He urged Farouk to 'put gel in your hair and style it' so that they looked like an 'amiable couple'. When counter terror cops arrested him in May 2024, Mr Saadaoui tried to flee but officers found two assault rifles, a semi-automatic pistol and almost 200 rounds of ammunition in his car, the court has been told. He was awaiting delivery of a further two assault rifles, another pistol and more ammunition to launch a terror attack to kill 'as many Jews as possible' in Prestwich , Higher Broughton and Cheetham Hill in the summer of 2024, according to the Crown. Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein have pleaded not guilty to preparation of terrorist acts, namely that between December 13, 2023, and May 9, 2024, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, they arranged for the purchase and delivery of firearms, conducted reconnaissance and made plans of attack. The court has heard that Mr Saadaoui's defence is that he was being pressured by others and that he planned to sabotage the plot and alert the police. Walid’s brother, Bilel Saadaoui, 36, from Hindley, Wigan, has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of failing to disclose acts of terrorism between the same dates. Proceeding
