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

A London-based man was apprehended outside the Israeli embassy on 28 April last year after attempting to scale an 8ft (2.4m) fence, carrying two knives, according to trial evidence. Abdullah Albadri, 34, faces charges of preparing for terrorist acts and possessing weapons, though he denies wrongdoing. The prosecution presented details of his previous journeys, revealing he had reached the UK twice via a small boat from France.

Arrest Details and Evidence Presented

Catherine Pattison, representing the prosecution, informed the jury that officers discovered multiple documents alongside the knives. One of these, she stated, was a “martyrdom note”—a declaration by someone willing to die or anticipate death in pursuit of a religious, political, or ideological mission. Albadri had shared a photo of this note with his mother through WhatsApp, the court was told.

“Mr Albadri’s intention was not just focused on his application. The prosecution say he had other matters on his mind—matters far more sinister,” Pattison asserted.

Previous Arrivals and Motives

Albadri initially arrived in the UK by boat in August 2021 but left the country by November 2023. He returned in April last year, again using a small vessel, and was temporarily housed at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Basingstoke, Hampshire. A draft email retrieved from his phone described him as a “human rights activist” arrested in Kuwait, with his family’s safety under threat.

Activities Before the Arrest

Shortly after his return, Albadri engaged with organizations supporting asylum seekers, including Migrant Help and Care4Calais. He also met members of the Kuwaiti community in London. However, Pattison emphasized his broader plans, noting he had been researching religious laws related to suicide just days before the incident.

Interaction with Officers and Confessions

On the day of his arrest, Albadri was in contact with charities about his asylum case. At 15:30, he sent a photo of the handwritten note to his mother, accompanied by a knife with a red and white handle. The note concluded with a declaration of his commitment to “the cause of Allah” and “supporting the religion of Allah Almighty.”

“This is the note that would have been found with his dead body,” Pattison said, highlighting its significance.

During the arrest, Albadri claimed he had “weapons” in his pockets and questioned why officers were preventing him from entering the embassy. He later told a sergeant at Hammersmith Police Station: “I’m gonna go back yeah,” specifying his destination as the embassy. The prosecution argues Albadri’s knives were unrelated to his actions that day, but his case remains under scrutiny for potential terrorist intent.