Primark Guard Jailed for ISIS Propaganda Videos

Luqmaan Ahmed, 24, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of three charges of encouraging terrorism. The judge described the videos as ‘horrific’.

The first clip, posted to Ahmed's Instagram in September 2022, depicted fighters in combat fatigues with prisoners and an Islamic State flag. This was followed by two Instagram 'stories' in November 2022 and July 2023, which featured scenes of executions and violence, and suggested support for the extremist group. The second story also included an image of Ahmed masked and holding a large knife, with what appeared to be an IS flag in the background. The prosecutor stated that Ahmed was potentially targeting an IS audience and encouraging violent actions.

Ahmed had previously been handed a community order in December 2022 for posting terrorist material in 2018, when he was 16. At that time, he and another youth posted propaganda videos from armed militia groups opposing the Syrian regime on Instagram, reportedly becoming obsessed with the war following the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. He had also allegedly encouraged others to fight for the al-Qaeda-linked Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham militant group and disseminated pro-jihadist training videos.

During his trial, Ahmed claimed his intention was to attract IS sympathizers and then dissuade them from terrorism, a defense the judge found difficult to accept. His lawyer argued that Ahmed, who was a carer for his mother and had parental responsibility for his younger sister, acted out of a misguided sense of religious obligation and demonstrated a high level of naivety. The defense also noted there was no evidence that anyone had watched his recent Instagram stories.

Det Chief Supt Jonathan Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Northwest, commented that the posting of such material can foster fear and distrust within communities.