The detonation of a homemade bomb outside a hospital in Liverpool was the result of a personal grievance against the British state, according to an investigation by police. Emad al-Swealmeen, aged 32, made the device himself and detonated it in a taxi outside the hospital on 14 November 2021. The taxi driver, David Perry, managed to escape the blast, while Swealmeen died.
Police believe that Swealmeen’s intention had been to enter the hospital and detonate the bomb, however, it exploded earlier than planned. Ball bearings from the explosion were propelled through the Ford Focus car, causing damage to the vehicle and also to hospital windows. Despite initial fears that the attack may have been motivated by extremist views, a police report revealed that Swealmeen had no such views.
The investigation into Swealmeen’s motivations following the attack has now concluded. It has emerged that the Iraq-born man had been attempting to gain asylum in the UK and was aggrieved that his claim had been rejected. Investigators have determined that Swealmeen’s mental ill health, compounded by his resentment of the British state, ultimately led him to carry out the attack.
Although Swealmeen went to considerable lengths in order to remain in the country, including converting to Christianity, it is doubtful that his conversion was genuine. Counter-terrorism police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the incident
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