Former Hamas Bodyguard Convicted of Birmingham Knife Crime Wanted in Germany

Mohammed Alfatih, a 40-year-old man who once served as a bodyguard for a senior Hamas leader, has been found guilty of a knife attack in Birmingham. While his trial focused on his violent assault against a bailiff, details have now emerged regarding his status as a former Hamas member sought by German authorities for his alleged involvement in a plot to target Jewish and Israeli individuals in Europe.

The Birmingham Conviction

During a two-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, jurors were shown video footage of Alfatih, also known as Mohammed Naim, brandishing two large kitchen knives outside his home in Kings Heath on October 14 last year. The footage captured him lashing out at the broken window of a van, an act that left bailiff Kevin Bucknall with head injuries requiring hospital treatment. Alfatih, who claimed self-defence, was found guilty by a majority verdict of unlawful wounding, possession of two knives, and criminal damage. He was cleared of the more serious charge of wounding with intent.

Unbeknownst to the jury, Alfatih was under surveillance by a counter-terrorism unit at the time of the attack. He had been released on bail for a separate terror-related suspicion just days prior to the incident. Reporting restrictions had previously prevented the disclosure of his background, including his history as the son of a senior Hamas official and his work for the group's leadership before arriving in the UK, where he was granted asylum in 2015 and citizenship in 2020.

A former Hamas bodyguard convicted of a UK knife crime is wanted in Germany for terror plotting.

Extradition and Terror Allegations

While detained for the Birmingham assault, Alfatih was rearrested following a request from Germany. German prosecutors have charged seven suspected Hamas members in connection with an alleged plot to target Israeli or Jewish targets in Germany or Austria. Authorities claim that Alfatih played a prominent role in the logistics of the plot, including the transport and storage of weapons. Intelligence services reportedly disrupted the plan after a tipoff from Israel’s Mossad.

German authorities allege that Alfatih was connected to the group's leadership and had prepared a video to claim responsibility for the intended attack. He is expected to be extradited to Germany to face these charges once his UK prison sentence concludes.

Why it matters

The case has sparked significant political debate regarding national security and immigration processes. Government sources have described the situation as a failure of border control under the previous administration, citing the granting of asylum and citizenship to an individual with such ties. The current government has since introduced reforms requiring citizenship applicants to demonstrate their contribution to the country.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges of monitoring individuals with alleged links to extremist organizations across international borders. For the public, it underscores the intersection of domestic criminal justice and international counter-terrorism efforts.