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Mubashir Jamil: Wannabe jihadist convicted after telling undercover police officer he dreamed of joining Isis

Jamil told police about his dreams of travelling to Syria to fight for Isis: Metropolitan Police
Jamil told police about his dreams of travelling to Syria to fight for Isis: Metropolitan Police

A 22-year-old man from Luton has been found guilty of terrorism offences after he was caught in an online police sting, having boasted of his plans to fight for Isis in Syria.

Mubashir Jamil was convicted of preparing acts of terrorism following a trial at the Old Bailey. He had previously written of his desire to conduct a suicide bombing attack.

The jury heard that between November 2015 and April 2016, Jamil sent numerous online messages to people he believed could help him fulfil his dream of joining Isis, including an undercover police officer.

Jamil told the officer he wanted to travel to war-torn Syria and that he intended to get himself in peak physical condition before joining the jihadists.

He bought a punching bag and pull-up bar but told the covert officer he was wary of drawing attention to his fitness programme. To avoid scrutiny, he said he had also bought a football to exercise with, “so it’s less suspicious”.

Jamil said he had considered other options, including carrying out a suicide bomb attack, before deciding his preferred option was to go to Syria.

He talked of wanting to see attacks similar to those in Belgium and Paris. In one message, he wrote: “I am saying if you guys can send me someone quickly, and he fits a explosive [sic] belt on me and tells me how to press, I can go find good targets on the same day and press it.”

In April, he booked a ticket to fly to Turkey later that month, with the intention of crossing the border into Syria – but police stormed his house and arrested him before he could leave the UK.

When police seized his iPhone and two laptops from his home, they were found to contain pro-Isis documents as well as a copy of his flight tickets.

Officers also seized approximately £1,000 cash found in his bedroom.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Mubashir Jamil, seemingly inspired by the terrorist atrocities in Belgium and France, was determined to support Daesh by fighting for them in Syria or taking lives here in the UK.

“Ultimately, he decided to go to Syria and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command gathered solid evidence of Jamil’s plans before arresting him ahead of his flight date.

“Counter terrorism teams across the UK are carrying out hundreds of investigations but we need communities to work with us to fight terrorism. I urge them to do this by being vigilant and reporting anything suspicious, including if they think someone they know is being radicalised.”

Jamil was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 23 November.

Anyone who notices suspicious behaviour or is concerned that someone they know is being radicalised can call the confidential anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321 or visit preventtragedies.co.uk.