Student Jailed for 12 Years After ISIS Recruitment Via AI Bot

A student who was recruited by an artificial intelligence bot on social media and traveled to Somalia with the intent of joining the Islamic State (IS) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for terrorism-related offenses.

Mohamed Mohamoud, 22, traveled to Somalia in January of the previous year, informing his family that he was going on a trip for leisure. However, he told the court that his intention was to join IS and become a martyr, driven by a desire to experience the afterlife.

Mohamoud was offered a role as a "spy" by the group but declined, seeking a combat position on the front lines. He returned to the UK in March of the same year after his attempt to become a martyr was thwarted by ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Upon his return, he continued to communicate with IS recruiters, expressing his willingness to return if called upon.

He was arrested in January of the current year, and an examination of his phone revealed communications related to his intentions. Mohamoud was found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism by taking steps to join IS in Somalia.

During his sentencing at The Old Bailey, Mr. Justice Lickley sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment, with an additional four years on extended license. The judge noted that Mohamoud had made every effort to join IS and would have been used in a combat role if successful. While acknowledging Mohamoud's intelligence, the judge described him as "naive" and a potential future danger to the public if his radical beliefs remained unchanged.

Mohamoud had denied preparing acts of terrorism but admitted to attempting to join IS in Somalia. He testified that he was born in Somalia but moved to the UAE with his mother at a young age, later relocating to Bristol in the UK in 2020. He was studying English, mathematics, and cookery at City of Bristol College when he began viewing extremist content online.

Prosecutors detailed how Mohamoud developed a strong desire for jihad and sought ways to travel to Somalia. He contacted a user on TikTok, expressing his wish to join the mujahideen and was subsequently directed to an automated bot on the Telegram app called Al-Hijrateyn. This bot connected him to individuals who could assist with his travel plans.

Mohamoud purchased hiking boots and a solar-powered battery pack before messaging a contact in Somalia named Abu Ladin, stating his ambition was martyrdom. He departed from London Heathrow on January 30, traveling through Addis Ababa to Garowe, Somalia, with a return ticket booked for March 3.

Upon arrival, he was met by his cousin and booked into a hotel. From there, he contacted another Telegram bot, Xiriiria Al-Hijrateyn, stating his desire to join the mujahideen. He was then connected to a recruiter named Abu Ali, who requested details about his background and connections.

Mohamoud provided the requested information and expressed a long-held wish to die in the cause of God. He later traveled to Bossaso and then to his family village. At this time, the Puntland government was conducting a counter-terrorism operation against IS. Abu Ali warned Mohamoud about the ongoing conflict and airstrikes, to which Mohamoud responded with enthusiasm for martyrdom.

Despite being passed to another recruiter, Mohamoud's attempts to join IS were unsuccessful due to the prevailing conflict. This situation led to his return to the UK on March 3. However, his desire to join IS persisted, as evidenced by a message to Abu Ali on March 16 stating, "Anytime, you say the word, I will return."

In his defense, Dominic Thomas argued that Mohamoud went to Somalia to fight and die, and his prospect of causing harm to others was low. He also highlighted that Mohamoud chose to return to the UK rather than persist in his efforts to join IS and had shown signs of changing his perspective.