UK Alert (REVISED): Three men charged with plotting far-right terrorist attack against Islamic education center in Leeds on February 27; posed highly credible, imminent, threat

Feb 2024

15:43 UTC

Current Situation

On February 27, three men, a 33-year-old and two 24-year-olds, were charged with preparing an act of right-wing terrorism at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. The suspects were arrested on February 20, when police searched their residences in Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, and Staffordshire search. One suspect is also a former military cadet.
The individuals reportedly plotted a terrorist attack using firearms on an Islamic education center in Leeds. In their communications, it was established that they planned to attack people, referring to them as “victims.”
The three suspects utilized encrypted chat groups to communicate with each other and were part of an extremist far-right group known as “Einsatz 14.” The group was used to share far-right propaganda, documents with training plans, and manuals on weapons creation.
Additionally, authorities discovered a 3D-printed FGC-9 semi-automatic gun, a 3D printer, and manuals on how to print 3D weapons at one of the suspects’ houses. They also possessed knives, a crossbow, and far-right and neo-Nazi materials, which were discovered during raids at their homes.
The suspects were caught in a “pre-planned, intelligence-led operation” by the UK Counter Terrorism Police Department.

Assessments & Forecast

Given that the individuals possessed weapons and had identified a target at a close distance of their respective residences indicates that they posed a highly credible threat and were in the late stages of planning their attack. This is also evidenced by the fact that they already produced a 3D-printed firearm.
The involvement of multiple individuals is also notable, given that a multi-actor plot, if successful, poses a higher potential for mass casualties. Moreover, while some far-right attack plots have involved multiple actors, most plots and successful attacks are carried out by lone actors. That said, this also increases the likelihood of authorities foiling attack plots, as more elements are involved.
That one of the suspects had a military background is also of note, as he likely received firearms training. Moreover, this also points to the continued presence of far-right elements within law enforcement and security forces regionwide, with individuals with far-right and nationalist views often attracted to these agencies.
Moreover, that the three suspects were able to coordinate an attack plot from three locations via encrypted channels reiterates the growing threat posed by online communication services in facilitating terror plots. That extremist views and weapons manuals, among others, were shared on the group further highlights the threat of online radicalization and recruitment, with far-right extremist actors to disseminate propaganda.
Indeed, the group’s name, “Einsatz 14,” is indicative of the high level of radicalization, as it makes multiple direct references to neo-Nazi ideologies. The word “Einstaz” refers to ‘Einsatzgruppen,’ which were Nazi paramilitary death squads that killed some two million people in German-occupied Europe. Additionally, the number “14” is also a prominent rallying call for white supremacists globally, with the number referring to David Lane’s 14 Words. As such, this reiterates the threat posed by far-right extremists regionwide. This is evidenced by the recent crackdown on far-right individuals in Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Romania, in November 2023.
Additionally, the usage of 3D weapons is in line with regionwide trends of its use by far-right extremists and other criminal outfits, with manuals for 3D printed weapons widely disseminated on far-right forums. This is evidenced by police raids on 3D weapons manufacturing facilities in France in February, Finland in July 2023, and the UK in May 2023.
Separately, the fact that the suspects intended to target an Islamic institute, while in line with traditional far-right extremist targets, may be linked to polarization and heightened sentiments related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In addition to mass protests, the conflict has led to a surge in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia regionwide. The UK alone recorded 2,010 Islamophobic incidents between October 7 and February 7, compared to 600 during the same period in the previous year. 4,103 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in 2023, compared to 1,622 in 2022.
FORECAST: With extremist groups, both far-right and Islamists, continuing to capitalize on heightened sentiments related to the conflict to forward their own agenda, the threat of far-right attacks will remain elevated in the near-to-medium term. In addition to Jewish and Muslim entities – including synagogues and mosques – immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals are also at risk of attacks. While coordinated attack plots are increasing in frequency, any successful attack is likely to be carried out by a lone actor, utilizing firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and bladed weapons.

Recommendations

Those operating or residing in the UK are advised to maintain vigilance for far-right-related violent incidents and unrest.
If alerted to suspicious activity inform authorities immediately.
Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase their awareness of threats on social media through the use of threat monitoring services. Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from fringe online groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.

Low

Medium

Credible

Current Situation

On February 27, three men, a 33-year-old and two 24-year-olds, were charged with preparing an act of right-wing terrorism at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. The suspects were arrested on February 20, when police searched their residences in Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, and Staffordshire search. One suspect is also a former military cadet.
The individuals reportedly plotted a terrorist attack using firearms on an Islamic education center in Leeds. In their communications, it was established that they planned to attack people, referring to them as “victims.”
The three suspects utilized encrypted chat groups to communicate with each other and were part of an extremist far-right group known as “Einsatz 14.” The group was used to share far-right propaganda, documents with training plans, and manuals on weapons creation.
Additionally, authorities discovered a 3D-printed FGC-9 semi-automatic gun, a 3D printer, and manuals on how to print 3D weapons at one of the suspects’ houses. They also possessed knives, a crossbow, and far-right and neo-Nazi materials, which were discovered during raids at their homes.
The suspects were caught in a “pre-planned, intelligence-led operation” by the UK Counter Terrorism Police Department.

Assessments & Forecast

Given that the individuals possessed weapons and had identified a target at a close distance of their respective residences indicates that they posed a highly credible threat and were in the late stages of planning their attack. This is also evidenced by the fact that they already produced a 3D-printed firearm.
The involvement of multiple individuals is also notable, given that a multi-actor plot, if successful, poses a higher potential for mass casualties. Moreover, while some far-right attack plots have involved multiple actors, most plots and successful attacks are carried out by lone actors. That said, this also increases the likelihood of authorities foiling attack plots, as more elements are involved.
That one of the suspects had a military background is also of note, as he likely received firearms training. Moreover, this also points to the continued presence of far-right elements within law enforcement and security forces regionwide, with individuals with far-right and nationalist views often attracted to these agencies.
Moreover, that the three suspects were able to coordinate an attack plot from three locations via encrypted channels reiterates the growing threat posed by online communication services in facilitating terror plots. That extremist views and weapons manuals, among others, were shared on the group further highlights the threat of online radicalization and recruitment, with far-right extremist actors to disseminate propaganda.
Indeed, the group’s name, “Einsatz 14,” is indicative of the high level of radicalization, as it makes multiple direct references to neo-Nazi ideologies. The word “Einstaz” refers to ‘Einsatzgruppen,’ which were Nazi paramilitary death squads that killed some two million people in German-occupied Europe. Additionally, the number “14” is also a prominent rallying call for white supremacists globally, with the number referring to David Lane’s 14 Words. As such, this reiterates the threat posed by far-right extremists regionwide. This is evidenced by the recent crackdown on far-right individuals in Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Romania, in November 2023.
Additionally, the usage of 3D weapons is in line with regionwide trends of its use by far-right extremists and other criminal outfits, with manuals for 3D printed weapons widely disseminated on far-right forums. This is evidenced by police raids on 3D weapons manufacturing facilities in France in February, Finland in July 2023, and the UK in May 2023.
Separately, the fact that the suspects intended to target an Islamic institute, while in line with traditional far-right extremist targets, may be linked to polarization and heightened sentiments related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. In addition to mass protests, the conflict has led to a surge in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia regionwide. The UK alone recorded 2,010 Islamophobic incidents between October 7 and February 7, compared to 600 during the same period in the previous year. 4,103 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in 2023, compared to 1,622 in 2022.
FORECAST: With extremist groups, both far-right and Islamists, continuing to capitalize on heightened sentiments related to the conflict to forward their own agenda, the threat of far-right attacks will remain elevated in the near-to-medium term. In addition to Jewish and Muslim entities – including synagogues and mosques – immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals are also at risk of attacks. While coordinated attack plots are increasing in frequency, any successful attack is likely to be carried out by a lone actor, utilizing firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and bladed weapons.

Recommendations

Those operating or residing in the UK are advised to maintain vigilance for far-right-related violent incidents and unrest.
If alerted to suspicious activity inform authorities immediately.
Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase their awareness of threats on social media through the use of threat monitoring services. Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from fringe online groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.

Low

Medium

Credible

UK Alert (REVISED): Three men charged with plotting far-right terrorist attack against Islamic education center in Leeds on February 27; posed highly credible, imminent, threat

Current Situation

Assessments & Forecast

Recommendations

Current Situation

Assessments & Forecast

Recommendations

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