Sutton man jailed for sending money to ISIS fighter

Adeel Ul Haq, 21, of Westbourne Road, was found guilty and jailed for five years under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and was also convicted of entering into. or becoming concerned in. a terrorist funding arrangement, under Section 17 of the Terrorism Act, for which he received a consecutive 12 months.

Kristen Brekke, 19, of Pentre Street, Grangetown, Cardiff and Forhad Rahman, 21, of Cranhams Lane, Cirencester were also jailed alongside him for assisting Aseel Muthana.

The investigation discovered that, collectively, all three of the offenders assisted Muthana in a number of ways including research into travelling to worn-torn countries and purchasing of items such as a passport, flights to Cyprus and military clothing.

The investigation involved officers from Counter Terrorism Units in the North West (NWCTU) and North East (NECTU), the Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) and Nottinghamshire Police.

Nottinghamshire Police and the North East CTU’s investigation showed that Ul Haq had sent money to an ISIS fighter in Syria and had participated in fundraising for Syrian aid.

DCC Peter Goodman said: “Ul Haq sent money to a foreign fighter overseas and was using his own social media account to raise funds for Syria.

“Ul Haq was also in contact with the others involved in this case, offering advice in online discussions with Muthana, demonstrating knowledge about crossing borders, and armed conflict in Syria.”

The Charity Commission later froze Ul Haq’s account and paid the money he had raised to a suitable registered charity.

DCC Goodman added: “We don’t want the public to be put off from donating to charity, but the best way of doing so is to check that the charity is registered before handing over any cash.”

South Wales Police ACC Jon Stratford said: “Today’s sentence shows that those who support a terrorist organisation will be brought to justice.

“This was a complex, difficult case that shows our officers’ determination to ensure that there is no place for those who assist terrorists in Britain.

“Everybody has a responsibility for spotting the early signs of radicalisation and stopping young people thinking of travelling to Syria.

“We work in partnership with community members and groups to do this and want to reassure loved ones and friends that through raising concerns at an early stage, we can help protect those who are potentially vulnerable or showing signs of an interest in violent extremism.

“Police would rather make sure people are put on the right path before they commit a crime, than arrest them because they have broken the law.”