Luton men guilty of trying to recruit support for IS

Ibrahim Anderson, 38 of Dallow Road, Luton has been convicted of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on 9 August 2014, and on 16 December 2014 possessed information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Shah Jahan Khan, 62) of St Catherine’s Avenue, Luton has been convicted of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on 9 August 2014.

The court heard that the two men were part of a group of men that erected a stall on Oxford Street, close to Marble Arch Tube Station.

During the course of the afternoon they assisted in distributing leaflets to people which encouraged support for the Caliphate announced by Daesh. They were heard to make comments supporting Daesh. When two witnesses - appalled by their comments - challenged their point of view they were told to “go and die”. The witnesses took pictures of the two convicted men and later reported the matter to police.

Both were arrested on the 16 December 2014, and their homes searched.

When searching Anderson’s home, a computer belonging to him was seized. When the computer was examined three images were recovered which were part of a set of instructions for travel to Syria to support jihad.

Commander Dean Haydon, of SO15, said: “These men were openly supporting a terrorist organisation whose behaviour is abhorrent to the majority of people across the world. Their actions on a busy London street were challenged by members of the public, appalled by what they observed. The MPS Counter Terrorism Command rightly investigated this case and would encourage others to come forward if they have concerns about terrorist related activity.”

Sentencing has been set for Friday, 29 January.