Man sharing online propaganda glorifying ISIS convicted after counter terror probe
A man from east London who shared propaganda glorifying ISIS and acts of terrorism on social media has been convicted.
Hamza Alam, 22, had promoted terrorist publications supporting jihad.
Counter terror officers seized electric devices that proved Alam, who went by the acronym “H”, was an administrator on a Telegram channel, and had shared terrorist publications.
Further content on Alam’s social media channels that glorified ISIS fighters and the preparation and commission of terrorist acts including the 9/11 bombings of the US.
However, Alam had insisted he was an “online librarian” when interviewed by police, after he was arrested in June 2022.
But Alam was found guilty by a jury on three counts of disseminating terrorist publications at a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday.
He was also convicted on one count of encouraging terrorism, relating to statements made on social media that directly encouraged the preparation, and instigation of terrorist acts.
Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, Head of Operations for the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Alam insisted that he was simply an ‘online librarian’, providing a service to the public by sharing this material. That was not the case - by sharing violent and extreme terrorist publications, he is now a terrorist offender and faces a significant jail sentence.
“He was found to have shared content deliberately and recklessly, with the aim of encouraging others to carry out violent acts of terror.
“We know that the type of content Alam was sharing can have a tangible and dangerous impact, particularly when it comes to the radicalisation of young people in our communities. In this case, officers worked hard to build a clear picture of Alam’s activity and it demonstrates that we will always work incredibly hard to bring individuals like him to justice.”
Alam is due to be sentenced on 21 June at Woolwich Crown Court.
