A 26-year-old man was today (Tuesday, June 4th) sentenced to an 18-month Community Order at Westminster Magistrates Court, for posting images on WhatsApp which showed support for the proscribed organisation Hamas.
The Community Order includes up to 35 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 160 hours of unpaid work.
Mohammed ADIL was a serving West Yorkshire Police (WYP) Officer, working in the Calderdale district, at the time the offences were committed on October 31st and November, 4th (2023).
ADIL was reported by his police colleagues which led to his prompt arrest by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTP NE) on November, 6th (2023).
CTP NE conducted the investigation into this matter, due to the nature of images, but this was directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following a mandatory referral by WYP.
The investigation looked at ADIL’s search, message and image history over several years, dating back to before he joined WYP. This investigation led to two criminal charges relating to two pro Hamas images he posted on Whatsapp which were both reported by his police colleagues.
He subsequently pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 2nd (2024) to the two charges of publishing an image in such circumstances as to arouse a reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1A) Terrorism Act 2000.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said:
“Supporting and glorifying acts of terrorism, and the groups engaged in them, helps to further terrorist objectives by extending their reach and influence. We will always seek to prosecute those responsible, irrespective of their occupation or background.
“This is particularly important when those involved occupy positions of trust. There is no place for such deeply offensive views anywhere in our society, and particularly in policing’.
“I commend the police officers that reported ADIL which led to this sentence. It also denied the opportunity for violent profiles and agendas to be increased’.
“I would ask anyone to report this type of expression regardless of what internet: apps, social media platforms or websites they see it on. Dealing with harmful, violent and extremist content is critical to our efforts to reduce the spread of terrorist material and propaganda’ continues DCS Dunkerley.
“Since last October, the national Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) received more than 3000 public referrals relating to the conflict. The majority of these referrals relate to pro-Hamas content’.
“Specialist officers assess each referral to determine whether the content is potentially in breach of terrorism legislation, requires further investigation, or highlights any safeguarding concerns.
“Any sites deemed to be hosting extremist content are taken down. I’d appeal to anyone who comes across terrorist or extremist material to report it to police at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism.”