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31-year-old Mashudur Choudhury on Tuesday became the first British person to be convicted on charges of terrorism connected to the conflict in Syria. Choudhury, a father of two and a former youth worker who hails from Portsmouth, was convicted of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts. He will be sentenced on June 13, and has been warned that he’ll likely face a substantial sentence.
According to the Kingston Crown Court where Choudhury was on trial, he had travelled to Syria so that he could take part in a terrorist training camp. Choudhury was arrested when he returned to the UK at Gatwick Airport. Choudhury told the court that he wants to emigrate and avoid problems at home. Prosecutors at the court said that Choudhury wanted training in the use of firearms so that he could pursue a “political, religious or ideological cause”. They added that he spoke about his wish to be a “martyr”.
Choudhury reportedly left for Syria on October 8, 2013, along with four others from Portsmouth, travelling in a commercial flight to Turkey. He would later travel to Syria, although prosecutors added that they don’t know what he had done in Syria. Later that month, he was arrested when he returned to the UK.
Prosecutors said that Choudhury was in contact with Ifthekar Jaman via Skype before his trip. Jaman had already visited Syria, and in a recent interview with a journalist said that he was fighting in the country. Prosecutors added that Choudhury asked Jaman questions about buying a handgun and weapons training, and Jaman told him that he would be trained for one to six weeks.
Earlier in the month, EU’s anti-terror chief said that hundreds of Europeans were fighting for rebel forces in Syria. In March, the British police had arrested four people on suspicion of terror-related offences connected to Syria.
Brendan O’Dowda, Assistant Chief Constableof the South East Counter Terrorism Unit, welcomed the verdict.
“Today’s conviction sends out strong message to anyone considering engaging in terrorist activity, be that in the UK or overseas, that we will pursue you and your networks.He has hid behind a history lies in an effort to misdirect and frustrate our investigation. The ongoing conflict in Syria is terrible for us all to see. Great sympathy is felt for those victims of that conflict”, he said.
“If anyone has a genuine desire to help then they are encouraged to offer aid and support by donating through charities supporting the relief operation.Syria is a very dangerous place – best described as a cocktail of high risk and threat. Anyone thinking of travelling to fight jihad against the Assad regime, think again. You are likely to be killed or kidnapped and if you return to the UK you are highly likely to be arrested”, he added.