Al Qaeda-trained terrorist jailed
MPS Press Release Bulletin 0000000815 - 9. January 2008
Sohail Anjum Qureshi
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An Al Qaeda-trained terrorist who admitted preparing to commit an act of terrorism overseas was jailed for four and a half years on Tuesday 8 January at the Central Criminal Court.
Sohail Anjum Qureshi, 30, a dental assistant from Forest Gate, E7, also pleaded guilty to possessing articles, including night-vision goggles, police-style batons and manuals detailing combat techniques, for the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism and possessing records likely to be useful for terrorist purposes.
Qureshi was arrested following a joint intelligence-led operation by the MPS Counter Terrorism Command and Security Service.
In late 2006 Qureshi, originally from Pakistan, embarked on a plan to commit acts of terrorism overseas, possibly against coalition forces in Afghanistan. Internet messaging logs showed he communicated with a contact and discussed being called "back" to carry out a "14-20 day operation" with the hope to "kill many". It is not clear what the so-called "operation" entailed, but as Qureshi admitted in court, his intention, when he set out on 18 October 2006, was to commit or assist another to commit an act of terrorism overseas.
In another online conversation with the contact he said that in 1996 he trained at an Al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan and was briefly the 'emir' (leader) of another camp in 1998. He also claimed to be a Mujahideen financier and supporter and talked about the importance of acting alone when doing operations to prevent leaks or moles.
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In the weeks before his intended departure to Pakistan, he gathered the necessary material, finances and information for his mission. Qureshi purchased a night-vision optical device, back-packs, police-style 'ASP' batons, sleeping bags and camping gear. He also downloaded a cache of combat manuals and practical guides to warfare, which he saved onto a computer hard drive. He described the guides, equipment together with £9,000 in cash, as 'gifts' for the Mujahideen fighters he was to meet when he arrived.
Also discovered was his eight-page "al wida" or farewell message, in which he wrote:
"If I am to become a Shaheed (martyr), then cry not and celebrate that day as if you celebrate a happy occasion?".
He admitted to raising thousands of pounds from sympathisers in the UK, which he intended to give to the cause as "bullets cost money".
During this time he communicated with other extremists via Internet messaging and email. One of his associates was Samina Malik. At the time she was a shop assistant at Heathrow airport. It appears they never met in person but had established a virtual relationship via extremist web forums. Following their arrest, each other's details were stored in their "buddies" list.
In one email exchange Qureshi asked Malik for an update on security measures at the airport where Malik worked airside. On 8 October 2006 Qureshi wrote:
"Sis, I hope u get this email before anyone else does? Wat is the situation like at work? Is the checking still very harsh? or have things cooled down a bit? Bara'Allah feek?Ws wr wb Delete after read!"
Malik replied and provided Qureshi with the latest security measures in place. She signed off with her pseudonym "Umm Musab al-Gharib - A Stranger Awaiting Martyrdom". Malik was subsequently convicted of possessing articles useful for terrorist purposes.
Prior to Qureshi's intended departure his movements were observed by police and on the evening of 18 October 2006 he was arrested by officers from the MPS Counter Terrorism Command as he waited to board a plane to Islamabad. In his possession police discovered the 'gifts' in his luggage.
Following his arrest police searched his house in Palmerston Road, E7 and discovered material demonstrating Qureshi's links to terrorism, including a number of photos of him with assault rifles.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, Specialist Operations of the MPS said:
"Qureshi is a trained and committed terrorist, who by his own admission had contacts within Al-Qaeda since the mid-1990's.
"He wanted to carry out terrorist acts overseas and gathered the equipment to help him do this. Although we do not know his exact plans it is likely that coalition forces, possibly in Afghanistan, were his intended target. In his own words he hoped to 'kill many'.
"He was no amateur. He had a cover story; he researched airport security; he tried to cover his tracks."Samina Malik featured in this investigation. She was arrested after her details were found on Qureshi's computer. She was well aware of Qureshi's violent extremist views and was happy to provide him with advice on security measures at the airport. She of course was duly convicted for possessing documents likely to be useful for terrorists purposes.
"We should all be thankful that the overwhelming evidence against Qureshi left him little choice other than to admit his guilt."
Related story:
Lyrical terrorist convicted MPS Press Release - 8. November 2007
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A 23-year-old woman who called herself the "Lyrical Terrorist" was today (8 November) found guilty of possessing documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing acts of terrorism.
Samina Malik, unemployed of Southall was arrested at her home in Townsend Road on the morning of 27 October 2006 as part of an investigation by the MPS Counter Terrorism Command (SO15).
Officers searched her room and discovered documents on a computer relating to terrorism, including: The Al Qaeda Manual, The Terrorists Handbook, The Mujahideen Poisons Handbook, a manual for a Dragunov Sniper Rifle, The Firearms and RPG handbook, and a document entitled How to Win hand to hand fighting.
Also discovered were writings, jottings and poems revealing her violent extremist views. On the back of a till roll (she previously worked as a shop assistant) Malik had written: "The desire within me increases every day to go for martyrdom... The need to go increases second by second." |
Enquiries revealed that Malik had downloaded the material from the Internet. She had also applied to join extremist subscription-only websites and emails from her revealed that she had enquired about how to donate to the Mujahideen.
After her arrest she was charged with possessing documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, head of the MPS Counter Terrorism Command said:
"Malik held violent extremist views which she shared with other like-minded people over the Internet. She also tried to donate money to a terrorist group.
"She had the ideology, ability and determination to access and download material, which could have been useful to terrorists. Merely possessing this material is a serious criminal offence."
Mailk has been released on conditional bail. Sentencing will take place on 6 December.
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