Counter Terrorism Policing North West announced that Hekmat Omar Ali Hakim, a 49-year-old Iraqi national living in the Manchester area, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of failing to disclose information related to the terrorist attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025.
Hakim, who is accused of an offense under the UK Terrorism Act, is due to appear Friday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. Authorities have not disclosed what information he allegedly possessed, when he became aware of it, or the nature of his connection to the terrorist.
Hakim was first arrested on May 26, when Counter Terrorism Policing North West and Greater Manchester Police conducted a raid as part of their search for suspects. He was detained on suspicion of the same offense, questioned, and released on bail the following day.
Hakim was the eighth person arrested in the extensive investigation launched after the attack. Following nearly three additional months of investigation, and with the approval of prosecutors, authorities decided to charge him and arrested him again.
Police continue to piece together 'full picture' of attack
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, the operational head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, described the charge as “a significant development in the investigation.”
Potts said investigators were continuing their efforts to “establish the full picture” behind the attack and identify anyone who may have been involved in any way. He said the charge resulted from a lengthy and meticulous investigation conducted with the assistance of British prosecutors.
Attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, Yom Kippur 2025
The attack at Heaton Park Synagogue occurred on the morning of Yom Kippur, when Jihad al Shamie, 35, a British citizen born in Syria, drove a car toward the synagogue and struck several people. He then exited the vehicle armed with a knife and wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt, which was later found to be fake. Armed police officers shot him dead.
Two worshipers were killed in the attack: Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Cravitz was stabbed to death by the terrorist.
According to findings released later, Daulby was killed by a bullet fired by a police officer at the terrorist. The bullet either deflected or ricocheted and struck Daulby as he helped barricade the synagogue’s doors.
Three other men were seriously wounded in the attack. All have since been released from the hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing. According to police updates, several people have been arrested since October on various suspicions related to the case, with the total number of arrests reaching eight by May. At least one other suspect, arrested on suspicion of failing to disclose information about terrorist activity, remains under investigation