Kuwaiti jailed for life in UK after failed Israeli embassy attack

Abdullah Sabah Albadri, a 34-year-old Kuwaiti, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years for attempting to carry out a terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy in London. Albadri was arrested by armed diplomatic protection police on April 27, 2025, after he was caught attempting to breach the embassy gates armed with two knives. Body-camera footage of his arrest showed him confessing to officers that he had "weapons" and intended to "make a crime" inside the building.

The Metropolitan Police revealed that Albadri had searched online for the location of the Israeli embassy just 12 days after his arrival in Britain and had searched for Arabic terms related to suicide attacks during the five days leading up to his arrest. He also had a note on him when he was arrested that indicated his intention to die. Albadri's trial at the Old Bailey in April found him guilty of preparing terrorist acts and possessing two knives.

Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, praised the bravery and professionalism of the officers who arrested Albadri, stating that their actions prevented serious injuries despite the threat posed by a man armed with knives. Albadri, who was born into the stateless Arabian Bedouin tribe and has no human rights or passport in Kuwait, claimed during his trial that he was a human rights activist and had no family or financial support in Kuwait.