June Monthly Terrorism Update

• On 30 April 2025, Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 33, was charged with the preparation of terrorist acts after he allegedly attempted to break into the Israeli embassy in London with two Bladed Weapons on 28 April 2025. He was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command shortly after he allegedly tried to enter the site by scaling a 2.5 metre fence. A martyrdom note was allegedly found in Albadri’s pocket at the time of his arrest. Albadri allegedly later told the court he wanted “to send a message to the Israeli government to stop the war ”. The investigation remains ongoing and a provisional trial is set for April 2026 {1}{2}{3}.

• On 02 May 2025, Spencer Tse, 25, was jailed for 15 months after he pleaded guilty to two offences under the Firearms Act. Counter Terrorism Policing Wales uncovered the production of homemade firearms and possession of ammunition during their investigation. There is no evidence to suggest that Tse adhered to a terrorist ideology {4}.

• On 03 May 2025, police arrested two individuals in connection with an alleged plot against a Lady Gaga concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The arrests occurred hours before the concert was due to start. According to police, the suspects had recruited individuals to carry out coordinated attacks using “improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails”. The alleged motivation for the attack was to gain “notoriety” on social media. Secretary of the Rio police Felipe Cury stated that authorities believed the suspects intended to target Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ community. An additional individual was arrested and charged with terrorism offences after he allegedly plotted to conduct a separate “satanist ritual by killing a child or a baby” at the same concert. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that any weapons or explosive material was found during the investigation {5}{6}{7}.

• On 03 May 2025, five Iranian nationals were arrested in a series of raids across England on suspicion of preparation of an act of terrorism. The suspected plot allegedly sought to target the Israeli Embassy in London. Four of the men were questioned by the police, whilst one was released. On 17 May 2024, the four men were released from custody. The investigation remains ongoing. The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the plot {8}{9}{10}.

• On 09 May 2025, Leo Walby, 19, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to six charges of dissemination of terrorist material between 10 July and 20 August 2024. During the investigation, officers found Walby had shared posts containing Islamist terrorism related content on TikTok and Telegram, including Islamic State propaganda. Walby had reportedly accrued more than 1,500 followers across the platforms. Walby was referred to the Prevent programme in 2017; the referral was closed without any engagement with the family. The court heard information that suggested Walby had a “history of mild autism” {11}{12}.

• On 15 May 2025, Andrew Campbell, 42, was jailed for five years and ten months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm without a certificate and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon (three illegal guns and a silencer that matched bullets found in searches at his home and a storage unit). In January 2024, police searched two properties associated with Campbell and uncovered more than 110 weapons, including firearms, knives, knuckle dusters, and crossbows. Campbell reportedly held white supremacist views; police found Nazi literature, memorabilia, and swastikas after searching a property associated with Campbell. He had also reportedly sent messages regarding targeting pro-Palestine demonstrators and the Muslim community {13}{14}{15}.

• Between 16 to 21 May 2025, Roman Lavrynovych, Stanislav Carpiuc, and Petro Pochynok, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Lavrynovych and Pochynok are both Ukrainian nationals; Carpiuc was born in Ukraine but has Romanian nationality. The charges related to three arson incidents linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s properties: a fire at a property in Kentish Town, a vehicle fire on the same street, and a fire at a property in Islington. Nobody was hurt in the incidents. Prosecutor, Sarah Przybylska stated that the motivation for the attacks remains “unexplained” at this time. Police reportedly have not ruled out a hostile state involvement. The investigation remains ongoing {16}{17}{18}.

• On 17 May 2025, Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, conducted a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack outside of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California. Bartkus was found dead next to the vehicle after the incident. Four others were injured. Head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Los Angeles field office stated the incident was “an intentional act of terrorism”. Officials reportedly uncovered an audio manifesto in which Bartkus justified his attack and described himself as a “pro-Mortalist”. The fertility clinic was “heavily damaged”, and windows of the building were shattered. A nearby building was also “badly” damaged. The investigation remains ongoing {19}{20}{21}.

• On 17 May 2025, three Iranian nationals, Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged plot to carry out “serious violence” against journalists from Iran International; an independent media organisation based in London. On 03 May 2025, the three individuals were arrested and charged under the National Security Act with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, reportedly Iran, between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025. The trial remains ongoing {22}{23}{24}.

• On 23 May 2025, Elias Rodriguez, 30, was charged with first-degree murder after he conducted a Firearms attack against a group of four people leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, in Washington DC. Two individuals were killed, both of whom were Israeli embassy employees. According to police, Rodrigeuz allegedly shouted “free Palestine” before he was taken into custody. Steve Jenson, from the FBI’s Washington DC field office, described the attack as “an act of terror and directed violence against the Jewish community”. A letter reportedly signed by Rodriguez and posted on X in relation to the attack reportedly advocated for “violent retaliation” over the war in Gaza {25}{26}.

• On 23 May 2025, Mohammed Hamad, 30, was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of disseminating terrorist publications. The conclusion of Hamad’s case and a lift on reporting restrictions revealed that three other men were previously convicted for connected offences. The four men were reportedly members of a WhatsApp group chat used to share terrorism propaganda and arrange funds for Islamic State. One of the four men, Omar Hussain Ahmadi, 24, pleaded guilty to being involved in a terrorism funding arrangement and was jailed for five years and seven months in December 2024. Ahmadi was reportedly found with £7,000 hidden in baby milk powder tins after he was arrested at Stansted Airport in April 2023 {27}{28}.

• On 29 May 2025, Paul Doyle was charged with seven offences including two counts of wounding with intent and one count of dangerous driving after he allegedly drove a car into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on 26 May 2025. According to Philip Astbury, for the Crown Prosecution Service, Doyle drove ‘deliberately’ at people among the crowd. 79 people were reportedly injured. The trial remains ongoing; a provisional date of 24 November 2025 was set. This incident was not designated as terrorism but highlights the importance of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) in protecting crowds in publicly accessible locations {29}{30}.

• Although it is highly likely that any terrorist attack conducted in the UK at this time would be conducted by an individual or small cell using a low-sophistication methodology, it is almost certain that terrorist actors maintain the intent to deploy high-sophistication methodologies in the UK due to their likely lethality and impact.

• As demonstrated by the imprisonment of Spencer Tse for the successful production of homemade firearms, it is highly likely that 3D-printed weapons would remain an emerging terrorist threat to the UK in the long term due to their lethal potential and ability to bypass conventional firearms legislation.

• There is a realistic possibility that terrorist actors in the UK could have the capability to conduct an attack using a 3D-printed firearm. Although there has not been a successful terrorist attack using a 3D-printed firearm in the UK at this time, terrorist actors have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct such an attack globally, including:

• • 2019 – Germany – On 09 October 2019, Stephan Balliet, 28, shot and killed two individuals after he failed to break into a synagogue and conduct an attack. Balliet reportedly adhered to an Extreme Right-Wing ideology. The firearm used by Balliet in the attack was partially made using a 3D-printer {31}{32}.

• It is almost certain that terrorist actors would have the intent to bypass UK firearms legislation and seek novel methods of acquiring firearms for the purpose of terrorism, as demonstrated by Andrew Campbell using a “loophole” of acquiring firearms that also shoot paintballs. Individuals in the UK have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to illegitimately acquire firearms for malicious purposes, including:

• • 2025 – London – On 19 March 2025, Nicholas Prosper, 19, was sentenced to life imprisonment after he murdered his mother, brother, and sister at their home in Luton on 13 September 2024. After he had killed his family, Prosper left his home with a loaded shotgun and additional cartridges with the intention to carry out a school shooting at his former primary school. Prosper was arrested on a nearby street before he could conduct his attack at the school. Prosper had acquired the firearm by using a forged firearms license that he had made himself {33}.

• It is likely that crossbows would remain an attractive methodology to terrorist actors seeking to conduct an attack in the UK due to their easily accessible nature and lethal potential. Individuals in the UK have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct attacks using crossbows, including:

• • 2025 – Leeds – On 26 April 2025, Oliver Lawrence, 38, allegedly attacked two women using a crossbow and a firearm on the “Otley run” pub crawl route in Leeds. Both women were injured. There were no fatalities. Lawrence suffered a “self-inflicted injury” and died in hospital on 29 April 2025. The motive for the attack remains unknown. At the time of writing, the attack has not been designated as terrorism {34}.

• It is almost certain that terrorist actors would have the intent to conduct a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack in the UK at this time. Terrorist actors have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct VBIED attacks in the UK, including:

• • 2007 – London – On 29 June 2007, Bilal Abdullah and Kafeel Ahmed left a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) outside of Tiger Tiger nightclub in Haymarket, London, but it failed to detonate. Another VBIED was left parked on a nearby street which also did not detonate. The pair travelled to Glasgow the next day and drove a vehicle loaded with gas canisters and petrol into Glasgow Airport’s terminal building{35}{36}{37} .

• • 1996 – Manchester – On 15 June 1996, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) conducted a VBIED attack in Manchester city centre. The device reportedly weighed approximately 1,500kg. There were no fatalities, but over 200 people were reportedly injured {38}.

• • 1993 – London – On 24 April 1993, the IRA conducted a VBIED attack in Bishopsgate, London’s financial precinct. There was one fatality. The device reportedly weighed approximately 1000kg {39}{40}.

• • 1992 – London – On 10 April 1992, the IRA conducted a VBIED attack outside the Baltic Exchange in London. There were three fatalities {41}.

• It is highly unlikely that terrorist actors in the UK would have the capability to conduct a significant VBIED attack at this time, comparable to those conducted during the IRA’s mainland bombing campaign.

• It is almost certain that the significant barriers to acquisition, production, and delivery of a significant Improvised Explosive Device (IED) would increase the opportunity for interdiction by the police and security services.

• It is highly likely that any IED attack conducted in the UK at this time would be conducted using a smaller device. E.g., Placed or Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED).

• It is almost certain that misogyny and hyper-masculinity will remain core tenets of terrorist ideology in the UK. Misogyny almost certainly remains a point of connection between different forms of extremism and terrorist ideology (E.g., Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing) and a motivator to violence in certain instances {42}.

• Although it remains unclear if any such incident would be designated as terrorism, there is a realistic possibility that individuals in the UK could have the intent to conduct attacks against women and sites related to women’s health. Individuals have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct attacks against women and sites related to women’s health globally, including:

• • 2025 – UK – According to a previous court hearing, Andrew Campbell allegedly sent two WhatsApp posts about how he would “kidnap, starve and mutilate” a woman known to him. He a magistrate’s court at a later date {43}.

• • 2024 – UK – On 24 May 2024, Nasen Saadi, 20, conducted a Bladed Weapons attack on Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth. Saadi fatally stabbed one woman and another suffered 20 knife injuries but survived. Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts told the court Saadi had a “grievance against society as a whole, and women”, and that he wanted to “feel powerful”. The incident was not designated as terrorism {44}.

• • 2024 – US – On 15 April 2024, Chance Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty after he conducted a Fire as a Weapon attack against a Planned Parenthood clinic in California in March 2022. No one was injured. Brannon reportedly conducted the attack in order to spark a “race war”. According to US prosecution, Brannon held neo-Nazi views {45}.

• • 2023 – Canada – In November 2023, a 17 year-old boy was sentenced to life imprisonment after he conducted a Bladed Weapons attack against women at a massage parlour in Toronto, in February 2020. There was one fatality. The judge deemed the attack to be an act of terrorism under Canadian law, motivated by the online “incel” subculture {46}.

• • 2021 – UK – On 12 August 2021, Jake Davison, 22, conducted a marauding Firearms attack in Plymouth. There were five fatalities including Davison’s mother and a woman who was shot outside of a hairdressers. An inquest later found that Davison was fascinated by mass shootings, serial killers and “heroes of the incel” community. The incident was not designated as terrorism {47}{48}{49}.

• • 2021 – UK – On 14 November 2021, Emad Al Swealmeen, conducted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in a taxi outside of the entrance to Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Swealmeen died in the attack and the taxi driver was injured. It remains unclear whether Swealmeen intended to target the hospital {50}.

• • 2019 – US – On 09 December 2019, Robert Lewis Dear Jr., was charged after he conducted an attack using a firearm against a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Three people died and eight others were injured. According to the indictment, Dear intended to wage “war” because the clinic offered abortion services {51}.

• As demonstrated by the plot to target the LGBTQIA+ community at a Lady Gaga concert in Brazil, it is almost certain that homophobia also remains a core tenet of terrorist ideology globally. It is almost certain that terrorist actors in the UK would have the intent to target sites and individuals associated with the LGBTQIA+ community at this time.

• For further assessment on the threat posed to the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as examples of previous terrorist incidents related to the LGBTQIA+ community, please see Pool Re Solutions’ assessment on the threat posed to Pride Month 2025, here.

• As demonstrated by recently disrupted plots against the Israeli Embassy in London and the murder of two Israeli Embassy workers in Washington DC, it is almost certain that terrorist actors would have the intent and capability to target the Jewish community and sites associated with the Jewish faith at this time.

• It is almost certain that the threat posed to the Jewish community remains dynamic and subject to change alongside developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is almost certain that the Israel-Hamas conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza would continue to act as a driver of terrorism threat in the medium term.

• Terrorist actors in the UK have previously conducted attacks inspired by the Israel-Hamas conflict. E.g., On 17 May 2024, Ahmed Ali Alid, was sentenced to life imprisonment for conducting a fatal terrorist attack in Hartlepool town centre on 15 October 2023. Alid claimed the attack was motivated by the Israel-Hamas conflict and used a Bladed Weapon to injure a housemate before killing a member of the public {52}.

• It is almost certain that any terrorist attack conducted against the Jewish community at this time would be conducted by an individual inspired by an Extreme Right-Wing or Islamist ideology due to the ideologically driven intent to conduct attacks against members of the Jewish community.

• Although the Iranian State has denied any involvement in the alleged plot against the Israeli Embassy, it is almost certain that the Iranian State will maintain the intent to influence and aggressively target individuals in the UK in the long term. In October 2024, the Director General of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum revealed that there have been 20 Iran-backed plots targeting British citizens and UK residents since January 2022 {53}.

• It is highly likely that hostile foreign states would have the intent to use third party proxies, such as criminal groups, in order to interfere, intimidate, and influence UK citizens and residents whilst attempting to maintain plausible deniability. It is unclear if any such act would be designated as terrorism at this time.

• The disrupted plot to carry out “serious violence” against journalists working for Iran International demonstrates the realistic possibility that aggressive actions undertaken by hostile foreign states could lead to a greater variety of sites being targeted and/or impacted by such actions. E.g., Journalists could be targeted at their home, in a café, at their place of work, etc.

• Individuals have previously demonstrated the intent and capability to conduct violent attacks on behalf of a hostile foreign state, including:

• • 2024 – London – On 29 March 2024, Iran International TV journalist, Pouria Zeraati, was stabbed outside of his home in London. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), two Romanian nationals have been charged with wounding and wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Reporting suggests that the individuals were acting on behalf on the Iranian state {54}{55}.

Intelligence Cut-Off Date: 31 May 2025