Father of Brighton jihadi brothers killed fighting in Syria charged with terrorism offences

The father of two brothers who were killed fighting in Syria has appeared in court charged with encouraging terrorism.

Abu Bakr Deghayes appeared in person at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday where he denied a single charge of encouraging the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

The 53-year-old from Saltdean, is alleged to have spoken about armed jihad in a speech at the mosque in Brighton in November 2020, the court heard.

Mr Deghayes' defence solicitor, Tom Wainwright, said his client disputed that there was any intention to encourage terrorism.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram adjourned the case for a further hearing at the Old Bailey on August 6 and Mr Deghayes was released on bail.

He was arrested at his home on Tuesday by officers from Counter Terror Policing South East and Sussex Police following an investigation into alleged Islamist terrorism.

His sons, 17-year-old Jaffar and and 18-year-old Abdullah, died fighting to overthrow President of Syria Bashar al-Assad in 2014 having left Sussex to join Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

Another of Mr Deghayes' sons Abdul, 22, was stabbed to death by 37-year-old drug dealer Daniel Macleod in Brighton on 16 February 2019.

His only remaining son, Amer, is still in Syria having left the UK before his younger brothers.

Mr Deghayes is also the brother of Omar Deghayes, who was held by the United States as an enemy combatant at Guantanamo Bay after he was arrested in Pakistan shortly after the fall of the Taliban in 2002.

Superintendent Rachel Swinney, of Sussex Police, said on Tuesday: "Today's operation demonstrates that we, along with our partners in CTPSE (Counter Terrorism Policing South East), take seriously reports of all forms of toxic ideology which has the potential to divide our communities and threaten the safety of our people.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those within the community who support and assist officers during investigations of this nature.

"By reporting information to us as soon as possible, we are able to act promptly and ensure the welfare of the public.

"Although this individual resided in our area, it is not believed that there is any immediate threat to the safety of local communities and I would urge people to refrain from speculation.

"However, we understand that operations like this can often cause concern therefore we, along with our partners, will be in the community over the coming days to answer any questions or concerns."