Inside terrorist's flat where he built bomb before maternity hospital attack
Investigators have released photos showing inside a terrorist's flat where he built a bomb used in an attack on a maternity hospital.
Yesterday counter terror cops released the findings of a two-year probe - Operation Itonia - into the attack on Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday, November 14, 2021. Pizza chef Emad Al Swealmeen is believed to have taken out his frustration at being denied asylum in the UK by launching a horrific assault on innocent mums, babies and others inside the building in the inner city's Toxteth area.
CCTV showed the 32-year-old arriving at the hospital's main entrance at 10.55am in a Delta Taxi driven by David Perry. As the cab came to a stop it exploded, though the driver was able to stagger free as it was engulfed in flames. Metal balls packed into the device struck the front of the building but somehow missed any passersby. Al Swealmeen was the only person killed in the blast, but Mr Perry suffered serious injuries.
Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks' report says the bomb was built from components sourced online and put together at a flat privately rented by Al Swealmeen in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park. Police found he solely took up occupancy of the property to construct the weapon.
Emad Al Swealmeen rented the flat with the 'sole purpose' of building the bomb (Counter Terrorism Policing North West)On searching the flat, officers found mixing bowls and bags of explosive mixture, along with a mobile phone containing instructions on how to make explosives. A search of his other address, which he shared with other asylum claimants in Sutcliffe Street, uncovered two unfinished improvised firearms. Police found contents of mobile phones belonging to Al Swealmeen had been largely erased and he took precautions to conceal his intentions. When the home was raided detectives quickly established his housemates were not aware of his plans.
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DS Meeks said: "The scene at the hospital was examined in detail by experts over several days. Fragments of the device were recovered for specialist analysis and further assessment was conducted of the damage caused to the taxi and to the outside of the hospital building.
Photos from the police investigation show inside Al Swealmeen's flat (Counter Terrorism Policing North West)"The device is believed to have been housed in a black plastic case containing home-made explosive and several hundred metal ball bearings. Pieces of fabric and fragments of a zip fastener recovered at the scene indicate that the plastic case may have been placed inside a sling bag. It appears that the home made explosive only partially detonated as small quantities of unexploded material were found at the scene."
When questioned, DS Meeks said it appeared the device had been ignited prematurely, although there was no direct evidence of the precise plan or the motive driving Al Swealmeen to carry out the attack. CCTV showed how Mr Perry clung on to an astonished security guard after staggering from the vehicle. Merseyside Fire and Rescue officers were at the scene within four minutes, and confirmed there was a body on the back seat.
Officers found mixing bowls and bags of explosive mixture (Counter Terrorism Policing North West)Counter Terrorism police believe Al Swealmeen may have been motivated by a "grievance against the British state" for refusing to grant him asylum status. He also had significant mental health issues, having been sectioned in February, 2015, after running around with a knife and trying to jump over a motorway fly-over. He also tried to take an overdose in August that year.
Al Swealmeen came to the country in 2014, having applied for a visa in Abu Dhabi claiming he wanted to travel for a holiday and to watch the filming of Britain's Got Talent in Belfast. On May 6, 2014, six days after arriving in the UK, Al Swealmeen claimed asylum and falsely claimed he was a Syrian refugee.
One of the two unfinished improvised firearms found (Counter Terrorism Policing North West)His claim was rejected by the Home Office and he appealed. His appeal was rejected in April, 2015, and then a second appeal was rejected in August that year. Over the summer of that year, he appeared to have converted to Christianity, although DS Meeks said a Quran and prayer mat were found at his lodgings after the attack.
DS Meeks said: "The precise motive for the attack remains unknown. There is no evidence that Al Swealmeen held extremist views of any kind. We know that Al Swealmeen suffered from mental ill health before arriving in the UK and that this was likely exacerbated by factors in his life here, including his failed asylum claim and the absence of protective factors, such as close family, around him.
The moment the bomb detonated outside Liverpool Woman's Hospital (Liverpool Echo)"It seems most likely that Al Swealmeen's grievance against the British state for failing to accept his asylum claim compounded his mental ill health which in turn fed that grievance and ultimately a combination of those factors led him to undertake the attack.
"Al Swealmeen went to considerable lengths in his efforts to stay in this country including his conversion to Christianity, although the authenticity of this conversion is in doubt, but was refused multiple times. His avenues of appeal were becoming exhausted and he faced deportation.
"Al Swealmeen also took precautions to conceal his true intentions and to wipe any traces of his online activities. Consequently, we will never truly know why Al Swealmeen took the actions that he did that led to the explosion outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital.
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The terrorist was the only person killed in the blast (PA)"From the very outset, the investigation has focused on establishing whether any other individuals were involved in the preparation of this attack or had knowledge of it. There is not a single piece of information to suggest that this was the case. All the indications are that Al Swealmeen acted alone in manufacturing his IED and setting out to conduct his attack on Sunday, November 14, 2021."
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, Jon Roy, also spoke at the briefing and described the reaction of the public to the astonishing events of that day, particularly staff at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
He said: "The reaction of the public was unbelievable; in the face of adversity they were strong and determined and unbowed. Ultimately the aim of terrorists is to create conflict, distrust and fear, but that didn’t happen here and people across Liverpool stood shoulder to shoulder.
Taxi driver David Perry (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)"And the tenacity and strength of the management, staff and patients at Liverpool Women's Hospital was outstanding. Immediately after the explosion the hospital diverted patients to other hospitals in Merseyside, but amazingly by Sunday evening they had swiftly put their business continuity plans in place and were able to continue the crucial service they provide to the region and beyond.
"The following week staff at the hospital delivered more than 150 babies and more than 60 babies on the neo-natal unit, were given specialist care and showed the strength and resilience the city is renowned for. Liverpool has always been defined by its friendliness, kindness and spirit of togetherness in times of crisis and we are proud of our heritage as a multi-cultural city.
"We pull together in the face of hardship and tragedy. We support each other at times of difficulty. It’s why so many of us are so proud to call Liverpool and Merseyside our home, and why many who come to the city decide to stay for the rest of their lives."
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