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A man apprehended while attempting to break into the Israeli embassy in London, carrying two knives, told a jury that he risked his life to reach the UK. Abdullah Albadri, originally from Kuwait, entered Britain twice by crossing the Channel in a small boat from France—first in 2021 and again in April 2025 shortly before his arrest, the Old Bailey court heard.
During the trial, it was explained that Albadri’s defence is expected to argue that his intent was not terrorist-related and that the knives he carried were for reasons unrelated to the incident at the embassy. The 34-year-old denies charges of preparing terrorist acts and two counts of possessing bladed articles.
Albadri described his background, explaining he was born into the stateless Arabian Bedoon community on the Iraq-Kuwait border. He explained he had no Kuwaiti passport or human rights recognition. He said his father, a police officer, financed his education until he was 18. Later on, he became a human rights activist but faced significant obstacles, describing his attempts at higher education as a “wall” he could not overcome.
He recounted having endured five years of harsh imprisonment following an arrest for distributing flyers, where he said he suffered beatings and had to sleep on the floor. Following his release, he decided to seek a better life in the UK, drawn by the “prosperity,” “freedom,” and “human rights” he had seen on television. His first crossing to Dover involved travelling on an overcrowded small boat with 83 people in August 2021, where he described intense fear and chaos onboard. After initially attempting to hitch-hike to Manchester, he accidentally found himself back in France, where he was granted residency, learned French, worked as a driver, and paid taxes, though citizenship was denied.
For his return journey to the UK, he paid £1,200 to armed smugglers who transported him among 63 others. He described the smugglers loading migrants sequentially onto the vessel, one of whom carried a pistol. Once in the UK, Albadri stayed temporarily at an asylum seekers’ hotel in Basingstoke but was later told to leave. Feeling isolated and lost, he travelled to London where he slept outdoors near a Home Office office and in a park. He sought assistance at a migrant charity and mosque while trying to find work. The trial has been postponed until Wednesday for continuation
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