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Blackburn student jailed for terrorism offences | Blackburn student jailed for terrorism offences |
(35 minutes later) | |
A student who tried to travel to Syria to fight for so-called Islamic State has been jailed for four years. | A student who tried to travel to Syria to fight for so-called Islamic State has been jailed for four years. |
Ednane Mahmood, from Blackburn, fled his home after stating his desire to "fight abroad for Allah". | Ednane Mahmood, from Blackburn, fled his home after stating his desire to "fight abroad for Allah". |
The 19-year-old was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court in November of planning acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications. | The 19-year-old was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court in November of planning acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications. |
He denied providing internet links to others with speeches and propaganda that encouraged acts of terrorism. | He denied providing internet links to others with speeches and propaganda that encouraged acts of terrorism. |
Mahmood, who was studying Arabic at university, downloaded graphic videos, the court heard during his trial. | |
They included the beheading of aid worker David Haines, and charity volunteer Alan Henning kneeling on the ground after his kidnap. | |
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he posted an image on his Facebook page that contained the words: "I wish I could fight in the cause of Allah and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed, and then fight, and then be killed." | |
On 18 September 2014, he left his home to board a flight from Manchester Airport to Bulgaria, leaving a letter addressed "to family". | On 18 September 2014, he left his home to board a flight from Manchester Airport to Bulgaria, leaving a letter addressed "to family". |
The court heard his family was unaware of his intentions and, on the day he fled, reported him missing to police. | |
Mahmood travelled by bus to Turkey to a town near the Syrian border, GMP added. | |
He tried to contact a number of people asking for urgent help, including one man who he believed was fighting in Syria at the time. | |
Mahmood's requests went unanswered and, following an exchange of messages with his family, he returned to the UK. | |
During his defence, Mahmood claimed he wanted to "help the Syrian people" and had an interest in the country "from the beginning of the war, because of all the suffering". | |
Det Ch Supt Tony Mole, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "Prior to leaving the UK to try and gain entry to Syria, it was clear from Mahmood's actions that he was a strong supporter of the ISIS cause and was intent on joining this terrorist group in Syria. | |
"He did not tell his family anything about his plans and once they learned of his whereabouts, they did everything they could to persuade him to come home." |