Yusuf Shah jailed for four years after terrorism convictions

Yusuf Shah, who was 16 when stopped at Heathrow in January 2024, has been jailed for four years and two months after being convicted of providing technical support to terrorist groups and collecting terrorist material. He was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 20 October, aged 18, the Metropolitan Police said. [1]

The police said Shah, from Ilford, was convicted of five offences: three counts of collecting terrorist materials, one relating to an arrangement to make money or property available for terrorism, and one of providing instruction or training for terrorist purposes. [1]

Investigators found that Shah had downloaded documents containing instructions on making explosives and using weapons, and accessed an al-Qaeda online magazine containing information about terrorist attacks, according to police. He also took part in Telegram chat groups supporting terrorist organisations and offered technical advice, including on making cryptocurrency payments anonymously. [1]

In March 2024, Shah was approached on Telegram to prepare a cyber-security guide for Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), the police said. He produced and sent a document titled “A Guide on Cybersecurity”, covering cyber security and cryptocurrency. [1]

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the investigation found Shah was encountering extremist material and ideologies when he was 13 or 14. She urged parents and carers to take an interest in children’s online activity. [1]