A public inquiry has revealed significant police oversights in the handling of the 2016 murder of Jalal Uddin, a 71-year-old imam, by Islamic State extremists in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The inquiry, led by His Honour Thomas Teague KC, found that critical opportunities to prevent the murder were missed due to procedural failures.

Background of the Case

Jalal Uddin was brutally killed in a Rochdale park by Mohammed Kadir, then 24, who was motivated by extremist beliefs that condemned Uddin's practice of ruqyah, a form of Islamic healing, as "black magic." Kadir, from Oldham, managed to flee to Syria after the murder, while his accomplice, Mohammed Syeedy, a former Manchester United steward, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role as the getaway driver. A third man, Mohammed Syadul Hussain, received a five-year sentence for aiding Kadir's escape from the UK.

Inquiry Findings

The inquiry's findings, released before parliament, underscored that all three men had previously been on the police radar. Kadir, in particular, was identified as a high-risk individual by counter-terrorism police. Despite recognizing the need for a targeted investigation into Kadir's activities by December 2015, the necessary steps, including appointing a senior investigating officer (SIO), were not taken. A potential SIO was identified within the North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NWCTU), but due to reasons beyond their control, the appointment was not made.

Former Det Insp Frank Morris testified that an investigation into Hussain had been prematurely closed two years prior to the murder. The report highlighted two key missed opportunities: the failure to scrutinize Kadir's inflammatory Facebook posts from September 2015 and the lack of further investigative actions that might have disrupted the murder plot.