Shaan Farooq, a 19-year-old man from Saltley in Birmingham, has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for possessing and distributing terrorism material that supported the Islamic State (ISIS).
Farooq was convicted in December at Birmingham Crown Court of three counts of intentionally distributing terrorism-related material. He had previously admitted to possessing such material between May and July 2022.
The police investigation began when Farooq’s home was searched on July 11, 2022. Authorities found a phone, laptop, tablet, and iPad containing extremist content and images promoting ISIS. The court was told that Farooq’s intent was to distribute the material to encourage acts of terrorism.
Farooq was arrested alongside his associate, Amir El-Harith, who was also later sentenced for terrorism offenses. In total, Farooq received three four-year sentences for distributing terrorism material and an additional 18 months for possessing it, all to run concurrently. Farooq will also serve an extended license period of four years upon his release.
The case highlights the serious consequences of spreading extremist content and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat terrorism.
