In a significant development in counter-terrorism efforts, two males, one a teenager, have pleaded guilty to terrorism offences. The case, led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, highlights the growing concern over youth radicalization in the UK.
Al-Arfat Hassan, a 20-year-old from north London, and a 17-year-old from Leeds, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, were found to have bonded over extremist views and support for the terrorist group Daesh. Their friendship, formed online, culminated in serious criminal activities.
At the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 November, Hassan admitted to possessing chemicals for terrorism purposes under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This follows his previous conviction in December 2022 for collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism under Section 58 of the same act.
The 17-year-old, who was just 15 at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty to collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism, specifically a Daesh propaganda video, and possessing information about acts of terrorism under Section 38b of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on 2 February 2024, at a court yet to be confirmed.
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command commented on the case, stating, “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 case is disturbing due to the young ages of the defendants and reflects a growing trend of youth involvement in terrorist activities, often radicalized online.”
An investigation into Hassan commenced after he was stopped at Heathrow Airport on 27 February 2022. Examination of his phones revealed his extremist mindset and evidence of his purchase of chemicals used in explosive devices. A video of Hassan posing with a sword and these chemicals was also recovered.
Further investigations led to the identification of the 17-year-old co-defendant, with whom Hassan had been in regular contact. The juvenile was found to have shared videos and images indicative of extremist views, including some featuring Daesh flags and other terrorist group symbols. He was arrested shortly after Hassan, on 12 March 2022.
Both were initially charged with preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Following two trials, they offered pleas to alternative offences, which were accepted by prosecutors.
Al-Arfat Hassan, a 20-year-old from north London, and a 17-year-old from Leeds, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, were found to have bonded over extremist views and support for the terrorist group Daesh. Their friendship, formed online, culminated in serious criminal activities.
At the Old Bailey on Friday, 10 November, Hassan admitted to possessing chemicals for terrorism purposes under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This follows his previous conviction in December 2022 for collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism under Section 58 of the same act.
The 17-year-old, who was just 15 at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty to collecting information likely to be useful for terrorism, specifically a Daesh propaganda video, and possessing information about acts of terrorism under Section 38b of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on 2 February 2024, at a court yet to be confirmed.
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command commented on the case, stating, “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 case is disturbing due to the young ages of the defendants and reflects a growing trend of youth involvement in terrorist activities, often radicalized online.”
An investigation into Hassan commenced after he was stopped at Heathrow Airport on 27 February 2022. Examination of his phones revealed his extremist mindset and evidence of his purchase of chemicals used in explosive devices. A video of Hassan posing with a sword and these chemicals was also recovered.
Further investigations led to the identification of the 17-year-old co-defendant, with whom Hassan had been in regular contact. The juvenile was found to have shared videos and images indicative of extremist views, including some featuring Daesh flags and other terrorist group symbols. He was arrested shortly after Hassan, on 12 March 2022.
Both were initially charged with preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Following two trials, they offered pleas to alternative offences, which were accepted by prosecutors.
