A west London man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in funding terrorism by arranging for thousands of pounds to be smuggled to Turkey. The conviction and sentencing follow an extensive investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.
In January 2014, Aine Leslie Davis, 39, whose last known address was unspecified, collaborated with his partner to orchestrate the transfer of 20,000 Euros from the UK to an associate in Turkey. However, police authorities successfully intercepted the money before it could be transported abroad.
In 2015, Davis was apprehended in Turkey and subsequently sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison by Turkish authorities for his affiliation with the terrorist organization Daesh. Upon serving his sentence and being deported to the UK in August of last year, Davis was promptly arrested by counter-terrorism officers.
At the Old Bailey on Monday, November 13, Davis was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. He had previously pleaded guilty to fundraising for terrorism during an earlier hearing.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, emphasized the commitment of law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism both domestically and internationally. He stated, “It has been nearly ten years since Davis committed these crimes, and I hope this case sends a message that we will relentlessly pursue and seek to prosecute anyone involved in terrorism both in the UK and abroad, no matter how much time has passed.”
The charges against Davis stemmed from his actions in January 2014 when he was in Syria. At that time, he arranged for his wife, Amal El-Wahabi, to have 20,000 Euros sent to him from the UK. However, the funds were seized before they could leave the country, leading to El-Wahabi’s arrest.
Phone records revealed incriminating calls and messages exchanged between El-Wahabi and Davis, illustrating their involvement in planning the transfer of money. Additionally, law enforcement officers uncovered images sent by Davis to El-Wahabi, including one that depicted him holding a firearm alongside a group of individuals believed to be Daesh members.
In November 2014, Amal El-Wahabi was sentenced to 28 months in prison after being convicted of funding terrorist activity under Section 17 of the Terrorism Act 2000. A third individual, aged 27 at the time, was found not guilty of the same offense.
Davis was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command at Luton Airport on August 10, 2022, following his deportation from Turkey. Subsequently, he was charged with the aforementioned offenses.
During his court appearance on October 16, 2022, at the Old Bailey, Davis pleaded guilty to fundraising for terrorism, making funding arrangements for terrorism, and possession of an article for terrorism purposes.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to terrorism. Information can be provided in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or through the anti-terrorist hotline at 0800 789 321. In emergencies, dial 999.
Visit the ACT Early website to learn how to seek help and support for individuals who may be at risk of radicalization.
Terrorist content can be reported online and anonymously, and there is also an “iREPORTit” app available for reporting such content.
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