https://news.met.police.uk/news/two-admit-to-terrorism-offences-after-joint-investigation-475107
Two males - one a teenager - have admitted to terrorism offences, following an investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.
Al-Arfat Hassan, 20, (06.12.02) of north London, and a 17-year-old from Leeds who cannot be named, became friends online and bonded over their extremist views and support for Daesh.
Appearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 November, Hassan admitted to possession of chemicals for terrorism purposes (under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000).
He was previously convicted in December 2022 of collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism (Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000).
The 17-year-old - aged 15 at the time of his arrest - admitted collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism (Section 58 Terrorism Act 2000) – namely a Daesh propaganda video - and having information about acts of terrorism (Section 38b of the Terrorism Act 2000).
They are due to be sentenced on 2 February 2024, at a court to be confirmed.
Commander Dominic Murphy who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These two young defendants were brought to justice as the result of incredible work by counter-terrorism officers at the Met, with colleagues in the North East.
“This extremely challenging and complex investigation is an example of the effective joint working that goes on between regional counter terrorism units across the UK every day, to keep the public safe.
“The fact that these two defendants are so young is disturbing and saddening. Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen growing numbers of young people, some still in school, being arrested for involvement in terrorist activity. They are often radicalised by material and extremists they come across online, as was seen in this case.
“We work around the clock with all our partners to tackle terrorism, but we can’t do it alone and we would urge the public to act early if they see or hear that might be linked to terrorism, and contact the police. Your call could save lives.”
An investigation into Hassan was launched after he was stopped at Heathrow Airport on 27 February 2022, using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
His phones were seized and analysed, and officers found evidence of his extremist mind set.
Officers found evidence that he had bought chemicals that were ingredients for an explosive device, and recovered a video of Hassan in which he poses with a sword and the chemicals.
Detectives discovered that Hassan - who made rap videos - was in regular contact with someone online, who shared his views. Enquiries led officers to identify the 15-year-old co-defendant in this case.
A number of the messages contained videos and images of the juvenile – some posing with knives, and some featuring flags adopted by Daesh and other terrorist groups. He was arrested nine days after Hassan, on 12 March 2022.
They were each charged with preparation of terrorist acts (under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000). Following two trials, at Leeds and Sheffield Crown Courts respectively – the first of which ended in a hung jury, and the second discontinued – both defendants offered pleas to these alternative offences which were accepted by prosecutors.
Two males - one a teenager - have admitted to terrorism offences, following an investigation led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East.
Al-Arfat Hassan, 20, (06.12.02) of north London, and a 17-year-old from Leeds who cannot be named, became friends online and bonded over their extremist views and support for Daesh.
Appearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 November, Hassan admitted to possession of chemicals for terrorism purposes (under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000).
He was previously convicted in December 2022 of collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism (Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000).
The 17-year-old - aged 15 at the time of his arrest - admitted collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism (Section 58 Terrorism Act 2000) – namely a Daesh propaganda video - and having information about acts of terrorism (Section 38b of the Terrorism Act 2000).
They are due to be sentenced on 2 February 2024, at a court to be confirmed.
Commander Dominic Murphy who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These two young defendants were brought to justice as the result of incredible work by counter-terrorism officers at the Met, with colleagues in the North East.
“This extremely challenging and complex investigation is an example of the effective joint working that goes on between regional counter terrorism units across the UK every day, to keep the public safe.
“The fact that these two defendants are so young is disturbing and saddening. Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen growing numbers of young people, some still in school, being arrested for involvement in terrorist activity. They are often radicalised by material and extremists they come across online, as was seen in this case.
“We work around the clock with all our partners to tackle terrorism, but we can’t do it alone and we would urge the public to act early if they see or hear that might be linked to terrorism, and contact the police. Your call could save lives.”
An investigation into Hassan was launched after he was stopped at Heathrow Airport on 27 February 2022, using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
His phones were seized and analysed, and officers found evidence of his extremist mind set.
Officers found evidence that he had bought chemicals that were ingredients for an explosive device, and recovered a video of Hassan in which he poses with a sword and the chemicals.
Detectives discovered that Hassan - who made rap videos - was in regular contact with someone online, who shared his views. Enquiries led officers to identify the 15-year-old co-defendant in this case.
A number of the messages contained videos and images of the juvenile – some posing with knives, and some featuring flags adopted by Daesh and other terrorist groups. He was arrested nine days after Hassan, on 12 March 2022.
They were each charged with preparation of terrorist acts (under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000). Following two trials, at Leeds and Sheffield Crown Courts respectively – the first of which ended in a hung jury, and the second discontinued – both defendants offered pleas to these alternative offences which were accepted by prosecutors.
