15:10, 22 Jun 2025<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_MYR_BRI_301118IsaIbrahimParole_04.jpg\")
Isa Ibrahim, formerly known as Andrew Michael, is up for a parole review after spending 16 years in prison(Image: SWNS – MASONS – HEMEDIA)<\/p>\n
A Bristol man jailed for planning a suicide bombing at the Broadmead shopping centre could be released soon. Andrew Michael, known as Isa Ibrahim, was caged in 2009 for plotting to kill shoppers.<\/p>\n
Authorities were tipped off by a member of the Muslim community and Ibrahim was arrested before he could cause carnage. He had planned to blow himself up with a suicide vest after idolising the London 7\/7 bombers and Al-Qaeda\u2019s Osama Bin Laden.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim was the son of a hospital consultant and grew up in a \u00a31m Bristol mansion. He went to a string of expensive private schools but later started watching speeches by Islamist militant leader Omar Bakri Muhammad and former Finsbury Park cleric Abu Hamza.<\/p>\n
He was convicted at Winchester Crown Court in July 2009. After converting to Islam, Ibrahim was sentenced to an indeterminate prison sentence with a minimum term of 10 years.<\/p>\n
He had been found guilty of making an explosive with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury and preparation of terrorist acts. Trial judge Mr Justice Butterfield said Ibrahim was an \u201cangry young person\u201d and \u201cwell capable\u201d of carrying out an attack. Ibrahim had said he did not intend to harm anyone, that he had trouble making friends and even talked to teddy bears as an adult.<\/p>\n
Now, nearly 16 years later, Ibrahim could be released from jail. The Mail Online reported that Ibrahim, now aged 36, is up for a parole hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can confirm the parole review of Isa Ibrahim has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes,\u201d a Parole Board spokesperson said. \u201c’Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said a panel will \u201ccarefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims\u201d. There are hundreds of pages of evidence set to be reviewed ahead of an oral hearing.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson also said: \u201cEvidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.<\/p>\n
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority. A decision on Ibrahim’s case is expected over the coming weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The son of Christian parents, Ibrahim had a lavish upbringing. His Egyptian-born father, worked as a consultant pathologist in the NHS<\/a>. Ibrahim\u2019s older brother became a software engineer after graduating from the University of Oxford.<\/p>\n But despite the luxury lifestyle in the family\u2019s gated mansion in Frenchay, Ibrahim developed a drug habit. He first took cannabis aged just 12, and was expelled from three private schools including the \u00a319,065-a-year Colston’s School and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital school which has fees of \u00a320,895-a-year.<\/p>\n