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UK jury convicts former Hamas bodyguard in Birmingham knife attack
A Birmingham jury found Mohammed Alfatih guilty of wounding a bailiff; Germany seeks extradition over an alleged plot against Israeli and Jewish targets, BBC reported.
- Sky News UK is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Former Hamas bodyguard guilty of UK knife attack”
- Our desk filed its story
- Now breaking news
A Birmingham Crown Court jury on Friday found Mohammed Alfatih, 40, guilty by majority verdict of unlawful wounding, possession of two knives and criminal damage after an attack on a bailiff outside his home in Kings Heath last year1.
He was cleared of the more serious charge of wounding with intent, the BBC said1. Sky News said the majority was 10 to two3.
Alfatih, also known as Mohammed Naim, was born in Germany, grew up in Gaza and was granted asylum in Britain in 2015 and citizenship in 2020, according to the BBC1.
The BBC said he had been regularly seen acting as a bodyguard for a former Hamas leader in 2006; jurors were not told of alleged Hamas links described in a German extradition request or of reported work for Ismail Haniyeh1.
The incident on 14 October 2025 involved bailiff Kevin Bucknall, who had come over unpaid parking fines, the BBC reported; footage showed Alfatih with kitchen knives at a van window, and the bailiff was left with cuts to his head1.
Alfatih said he acted in self-defence after traumatic experiences including being shot and detained in Egypt, the BBC said1. Sky News reported a psychiatrist diagnosed PTSD3.
While detained over the Birmingham attack he was rearrested after German authorities said he had been part of an alleged plot to attack Israeli targets in Central Europe, the BBC reported1.
Sky News said German authorities allege he played a prominent role in a plan to attack Israeli and Jewish targets in Germany and Austria, including receiving pistols in Berlin in summer 2025 and moving weapons to Vienna3. Those German allegations have not been tried.
The BBC said he is expected to be extradited after serving a UK sentence and faces sentencing in Birmingham on 11 January, as well as extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates' Court1. Sky News said any UK sentence would be served before extradition3.
A Home Office spokesperson said Hamas was a proscribed terrorist organisation and the government condemned "those who choose to support its activities and further its aims"1.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 sourcesFormer Hamas bodyguard guilty of UK knife attack
The Birmingham verdict, the withheld Hamas allegations, and expected extradition after a UK sentence.
BBC reported a majority verdict of unlawful wounding, knife possession and criminal damage, and that jurors were not told of alleged Hamas links. BBC News
Leaves out Detail of the German weapons indictment and the Home Office comment.
Former Hamas bodyguard convicted of Birmingham knife crime also wanted in Germany
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Former Hamas bodyguard unmasked after 'plotting terror attack' when given British citizenship
German accusations of a prominent role in a planned attack on Israeli and Jewish targets and the UK naming.
Sky News reported the naming after reporting restrictions lifted, the German plot allegations, and a January sentencing date.