Failed Asylum Seeker Jailed for Life Over Israeli Embassy Terror Attempt
Small boat arrival who carried martyrdom notes & twin blades in Kensington Israeli embassy raid attempt faces at least 20 years in maximum security cell.
A failed asylum seeker who attempted to breach the security perimeter of the Israeli embassy in west London while armed with knives has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years at the Old Bailey. Abdullah Albadri, 34, was sentenced by Mrs Justice Lambert KC after being convicted by majority verdict of preparation of terrorist acts and possession of two bladed articles.
The court heard that Albadri was detained by armed diplomatic protection officers as he attempted to scale a security fence outside the Kensington embassy at approximately 18:00 on 28 April 2025. Wearing sunglasses and a traditional red and white Arabic scarf wrapped around his head, Albadri saluted in the direction of two nearby officers before attempting to climb the security fence, whereupon officers dragged him down to the ground and detained him.
Police recovered two 10cm-long blades and a handwritten copy of a verse titled "the benefit of martyrdom" upon searching the defendant. Following his arrest, Albadri asked officers why they were stopping him from committing crimes, later stating during a police interview that he was motivated by the death of Palestinians in Gaza and wanted to take action to stop the war.
Prosecutor Catherine Pattison told the court that Albadri intended to perform an act that would have resulted in the sacrifice of his life, noting that individuals leaving the diplomatic building at the time would have had no chance to defend themselves had he breached the perimeter. Evidence presented at trial indicated the defendant may have been attempting to induce officers to use lethal force, with Albadri asking police why they had not used a rifle against him.
Defence barrister Chris Henley submitted that the plan could never have succeeded and posed no serious risk of harm to anyone. The defence maintained that Albadri had acted in an absurd and performative manner deliberately designed to draw attention to himself, having spent the morning seeking assistance with housing after sleeping rough in the capital.
The court heard that Albadri, a Kuwaiti national, had entered the UK aboard a small boat 16 days prior to the incident, having previously crossed the Channel illegally in August 2021 before returning to France prior to an asylum decision. Following his second arrival in April 2025, he was accommodated at a hotel in Basingstoke for three days before being informed he was ineligible for housing due to his outstanding asylum application.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that the swift response of duty officers prevented the security perimeter from being compromised. The police commander added that the custodial sentence reflected both the severity of the danger posed during the incident and the defendant's ongoing lack of remorse.
