Man Convicted of Attempted Murder for Petrol Attacks on Mosque Worshippers in Birmingham and Ealing; Sentencing Set for November 17
Attacker Admits to Setting Two Elderly Men on Fire After Evening Prayers, Causing Life-Changing Injuries; Insists Victims Knew Him Despite Evidence to the Contrary
- Mohammed Abbkr, 29, has been convicted of attempted murder for two separate attacks on elderly mosque worshippers. He faces sentencing on November 17.
- Abbkr used petrol and a lighter in the attacks, causing life-altering injuries to the victims, Hashi Odowa, 82, and Mohammed Rayaz, 70, as they left their respective mosques in Birmingham and Ealing.
- Despite Abbkr's insistence that his victims knew him, there is no evidence to support his claim. This is believed to have provoked his attacks.
- Police initially treated the incident as a potential terrorist attack, but found no evidence that Abbkr was motivated by a particular ideology.
- Extensive CCTV footage captured both incidents. In each case, Abbkr followed the victims from their mosques after evening prayers, before setting them ablaze.