Counter Terrorism investigation leads to conviction for sharing propaganda glorifying Daesh

A man who shared propaganda glorifying Daesh and acts of terrorism on social media has today, Thursday, 24 April, been found guilty of terrorism offences following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Hamza Alam, 22 (27.07.01), of Romford, east London, insisted he was an ‘online librarian’ when interviewed by police, after he was arrested in June 2022 by counter terrorism detectives investigating an online messaging channel.

Devices seized by officers provided evidence that Alam, who went by the acronym ‘H’, was an administrator on a Telegram channel, and had shared terrorist publications that encouraged Jihad.

Specialist officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command also identified further content on Alam’s social media channels that glorified Daesh fighters and the preparation and commission 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 was found guilty by a jury on three counts of disseminating terrorist publications at Woolwich Crown Court.

He was also found guilty of one count of encouraging terrorism, relating to statements made on social media that directly encouraged the preparation, and instigation of terrorist acts.

Other posts celebrated the 9/11 bombers and promoted extreme violence.

Alam was first arrested in June 2022 and charged with three counts of Dissemination of a Terrorist Publication, contrary to section 2 (1) (c) of the Terrorism Act 2006 in March 2023.

While on bail, he was further arrested in September 2023 and charged for one count of Encouragement of Terrorism, contrary to section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Alam is due to be sentenced on Friday, 21 June at Woolwich Crown Court.

Communities defeat terrorism, and information from the public is vital to counter terrorism investigations. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence at www.gov.uk/act or call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, dial 999.

Visit the ACT Early website to find out how you can seek help and support for anyone who you suspect may be being radicalised.