According to British media, the kidnapper in a synagogue in the US state of Texas was known to the British secret service. MI5 was keeping an eye on the Blackburn man in 2020, the BBC and the PA news agency reported today.
At the time he left for the United States, the 44-year-old was no longer observed and no longer classified as a danger. It is still unclear how the convicted man was able to fly to the United States.
The Briton was killed by the FBI in the act on Saturday in a synagogue in Colleyville near Dallas. His four hostages were released unharmed. Two teenagers are still in custody in the UK in connection with the case.
“person of interest”
Malik Faisal A. was classified as a ‘Subject of Interest’ (SOI) by MI5 in 2020, the BBC and PA reported. In 2021 he was downgraded. His family was “completely devastated” in a now-deleted statement quoted by the BBC.
A. had mental problems. British Home Secretary Priti Patel told Parliament yesterday that protections for Jewish institutions in the UK would be tightened in response to the attack.