A 19-year-old man from Birmingham, Shaan Farooq, has been found guilty of terrorism offences at Birmingham Crown Court. Farooq, from Saltley, was convicted on three counts of intentionally distributing terrorist material, following an earlier guilty plea to possessing extremist content between May and July 2022.
A police investigation in July 2022 led to the discovery of a phone, laptop, tablet, and iPad in Farooq’s home, all containing materials supporting the banned terrorist group Islamic State (Daesh). Authorities found evidence indicating Farooq’s intent to distribute these materials to encourage terrorism. His arrest in August 2022 coincided with that of his friend, 20-year-old Amir El-Harith from Smethwick, who was also apprehended on suspicion of terrorism offences.
El-Harith was sentenced in July this year to six and a half years for multiple terrorism-related offences. Reporting restrictions placed on his case have now been lifted following Farooq’s conviction. El-Harith’s sentence includes three years for distributing terrorist publications between April and June 2022 and six and a half years for publishing videos encouraging terrorism on Instagram between April and May 2023.
In addition, El-Harith was sentenced to three years and 10 months for possessing information on creating explosives, with all sentences to run concurrently. He continued to access extremist materials while on bail and faces a four-year Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) upon release, alongside a four-year extended license period.
Farooq, who remains in custody, is scheduled for sentencing on December 11 at Birmingham Crown Court.
The police have reiterated the importance of public vigilance in countering terrorism. Reports from the public are vital in tackling potential threats, and anyone with information can report suspicious activity in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or dial 999 in an emergency.
