Terrorist who plotted to “topple government because it was dominated by Jews” convicted in Birmingham

An antisemitic terrorist who planned to carry out attacks across the country was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (19 December).

Oliver  Lewin, 38, from Leicestershire, was found guilty of plotting to spread widespread terror and chaos which he hoped would topple the UK government.

Lewin – who was planning to implement a dangerous antisemitic agenda – wanted to mount coordinated attacks over a number of months including recruiting others to help him carry out his shocking campaign of terror.

He used social media as a “call to arms” to like-minded individuals to help create a national network of those sharing his vile antisemitic ideology and carry out coordinated attacks against the government.

Lewin was arrested on 25 August for preparing to commit an act of terrorism. Following his arrest, police seized a large amount of equipment, tools, and army surplus combat gear as well as weapon accessories to accompany the three rifles he owned.

Officers also seized ammunition, pistol, BB gun, a walkie-talkie and binoculars as well as a rucksack packed for overnight camping.

At the trail in Birmingham it was revealed that Lewin saw himself as being on a “war footing” and he was “opposed to the UK government and wanted to destablise it”.

Speaking about Lewin’s repugnant antisemitism – and his terrorist intentions – Annabel Darlow KC outlined the shocking case during the trial: “By 2021, Oliver Lewin was deeply opposed to the government of the United Kingdom.

“Mr Lewin, in fact, stated his goal was to topple the British government.

“He believed that it was dominated by a Jewish elite who took orders from Israel.”

WMP

Lewin claimed he was ex-military and spent a lot of time writing a terrorist manual called “Civilian Resistance Operations Manual” which the fanatic used to train others.

The extremist planned to attack phone, radio and TV masts and damage the road network in an attempt to cause chaos across the country.

Lewin, who previously worked as an AV engineer installing and maintaining radio masts, carried out meticulous research online into systems to identify weaknesses of the masts. He also carried out on site research during reconnaissance missions in his local area.

In August 2021, he built a hideout so he could hide from a police helicopter and planned to damage a culvert which disrupted water flow underneath the M1 motorway. He carried out training exercises, taught himself to walk in the dark and how to avoid travelling by road at night.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, said: “In interview, Lewin claimed he was a fantasist but it is clear he took the steps to carry out reconnaissance of targets to attack, bought equipment and tools, dug hide-outs and tried to recruit and train others.

“He wanted to advance a political cause by damaging property and wiping out media organisations. Extremists use this kind of ideology to create discord, distrust and fear among our communities and we strive to counter this.”

Lewin is due to be sentenced on 20 January 2023.