Three neo-Nazi extremists in England have been convicted of plotting terrorist attacks targeting religious buildings, after police discovered an arsenal of 200 weapons including a partially completed 3D-printed firearm.
Quick Takes
- Neo-Nazis Brogan Stewart, Christopher Ringrose, and Marco Pitzettu were found guilty of planning terror attacks against mosques, synagogues, and Islamic centers.
- The group amassed over 200 weapons, including a nearly completed 3D-printed semi-automatic firearm that police called a potential lethal weapon.
- An undercover officer infiltrated the online extremist cell, leading to arrests in February 2024 when security services believed an attack was imminent.
- The extremists, who had never met in person, idolized Adolf Hitler and established Nazi-style uniform rules for their group called “Einsatz 14.”
- All three men face “substantial custodial sentences” with sentencing scheduled for July 17.
Weapons Arsenal and Terror Plot Details
The three extremists—Brogan Stewart, Christopher Ringrose, and Marco Pitzettu—amassed an alarming collection of weaponry while plotting violent attacks. Police raids uncovered over 200 weapons including crossbows, swords, machetes, knives, a tomahawk, deactivated guns being restored, and most concerning, a partially completed 3D-printed semi-automatic firearm. The men had identified specific targets for their planned violence, focusing on religious buildings including mosques, synagogues, and an Islamic education center in Leeds.
Despite never meeting in person, the extremists formed a tightly-knit virtual cell communicating online with shared violent Nazi ideologies. Stewart appointed himself leader of the group, which he named “Einsatz 14,” and established Nazi-style uniform requirements for members. The plotters criticized other far-right organizations for lack of action and expressed their own desires for violent operations to support their extreme beliefs about an inevitable race war.
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From attempting to incite racially motivated violence to encouraging attacks on critical infrastructure, the alleged crimes planned and advertised by extremists on… pic.twitter.com/MvapLnWZoL
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Investigation and Arrests
British security services successfully infiltrated the extremist group when an undercover officer gained access to their communications. This infiltration proved crucial as authorities determined an attack might be imminent, leading to coordinated arrests on February 20, 2024. The defendants were charged with preparing acts of terrorism and collecting information useful for terrorism. Additionally, Ringrose faced charges for manufacturing a prohibited weapon, while Pitzettu pleaded guilty to obtaining an illegal stun gun.
“These men had bonded over extreme racial prejudice. They idolised the Nazi regime, they glorified mass killing. They’ve physically amassed weapons, they’ve constructed a 3D-printed firearm and they were trying to identify potential targets. This was far more than fantasy. This was something that could have very easily moved into the real world,” said Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley.
The trial revealed disturbing details about the group’s plans, including discussions about abducting and torturing an Imam. Prosecutors highlighted Stewart’s leadership role in directing the group toward violent action. The men’s online communications revealed extreme racist, homophobic, and xenophobic views, with explicit discussions about targeting religious minorities and migrants for violence.
Conviction and Sentencing Expectations
Following their conviction, Mrs Justice Cutts directly warned the three men to expect substantial prison terms when they return for sentencing on July 17. Law enforcement officials emphasized how close the plot came to becoming operational, with particular concern about the partially completed 3D-printed firearm. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the potential devastation that could have occurred if the weapon had been completed and deployed in an attack.
The case highlights growing concerns about the intersection of extremist ideologies and modern technology, particularly the emerging threat of 3D-printed weapons that can be manufactured outside traditional regulatory frameworks. Counter-terrorism officials noted this investigation as a successful example of early intervention preventing what could have been a devastating attack motivated by hateful ideologies.
