ISIS Recruit Who Entered UK Illegally Faces Sentencing After Terror Conviction
A 24-year-old man found with a 'suicide bomb manual' and glorifying 9/11 attacks has been convicted of membership in a proscribed organization.
Abdullah Yousef, 24, who was allowed to remain in Britain after entering illegally as a teenager, has been found guilty of terrorism offenses including membership in ISIS and possessing information useful for committing a terrorist act. He faces sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court.
During a two-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury convicted Yousef of membership in the proscribed organization ISIS and possessing a document titled 'homemade explosive belts,' which prosecutors described as a guide to making suicide vests. He was also found guilty of six charges for disseminating terrorist publications.
Prosecutors stated that Yousef created a Telegram group where he shared terrorist material, including instructions for creating explosive belts and videos that glorified the 9/11 attacks on the United States. He had arrived in the UK at approximately age 15, claiming to be from Syria, though prosecutors believe he is from Egypt. He was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Evidence presented in court largely came from a mobile phone seized from Yousef's home in Milton Keynes. Investigators found messages on the phone indicating sympathy and support for ISIS, including a pledge of allegiance. A prosecutor noted that while the recovered document on explosive belts did not contain all necessary instructions, it would have been useful to someone with the intent to create such devices.
Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Wright, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, stated that Yousef professed membership in ISIS and made extensive terrorist material available to others. Wright emphasized that sharing such content can encourage vulnerable individuals towards extremism and motivate them to engage in terrorist activities. The public is encouraged to report extremist views or hatred by visiting www.gov.uk/act or calling the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.