Freed suspect in Manchester synagogue terror rearrested as mourners grieve slain worshippers

A man who had been arrested and released without charge over last week’s deadly Manchester synagogue attack has been rearrested at the city’s airport, Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Thursday.

The 30-year-old was detained at 12:34pm on suspicion of failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism. Police said he was taken into custody at Manchester Airport before being released later on bail under strict conditions.

The man had first been arrested on 2 October on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism following the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue in Crumpsall. The assault, which unfolded during the holy day of Yom Kippur, left two men dead and several others injured, sending shockwaves through Manchester’s Jewish community.

As news of the rearrest spread, members of the synagogue gathered to mourn and pray for the victims. Flowers, candles and handwritten tributes lined the pavement outside the synagogue, a quiet testament to grief and resilience in the wake of terror.

It has now been revealed that 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie, the man responsible for the attack, made a 999 call during his deadly rampage, pledging allegiance to the so-called Islamic State terror group.

According to police reports, al Shamie drove his car into worshippers who had gathered outside the synagogue for prayers before launching a knife attack. He was wearing a fake suicide belt as he attempted to storm the building, forcing terrified congregants to barricade the doors from within.

Father-of-three Melvin Cravitz, aged 66, was killed in the attack, along with 53-year-old Adrian Daulby, who is believed to have been inadvertently shot by police as he tried to block the entrance and prevent al Shamie from getting inside. Both men have since been hailed as heroes by members of the community.

Armed police shot al Shamie dead at the scene after he ignored repeated warnings to surrender. The incident is being treated as an act of terrorism.

Following the airport arrest, detectives have reopened lines of inquiry to determine whether the suspect in custody had prior knowledge of al Shamie’s actions or failed to share vital information that might have prevented the tragedy. Officers are examining electronic devices, communication logs and travel records linked to the man.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police described the investigation as “ongoing and complex,” adding that counter-terrorism officers continue to work alongside national security agencies to establish whether al Shamie acted alone or had support.

The Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue remains under tight security, with uniformed and armed officers visible around the site. Community leaders have appealed for calm while urging anyone with information to come forward.

At a memorial service held outside the synagogue on Thursday evening, Rabbi Eli Cohen spoke of loss and defiance. “We are a people of peace and perseverance,” he said. “We will not let hate silence our prayers.”

For Manchester’s Jewish community, the pain is raw and enduring. While the rearrest may signal progress in the investigation, it has also reignited questions over how such an attack could happen and whether opportunities to prevent it were missed.

As the investigation deepens, the city remains gripped by a mix of sorrow and unease. A week after the bloodshed, candles still burn in memory of Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby — two lives taken in an act of senseless violence that continues to haunt Manchester.