Former UoB Student Jailed for Building ISIS Drone
A PhD student from the University of Birmingham faces jail time for building a drone to be used by terrorist group Islamic State.
Mohammed al-Bared was 26 years old when he designed the drone. It had been built to carry explosive materials and chemical weapons for IS into enemy territory. The Coventry resident, who was studying for his PhD in Birmingham at the time, kept IS informed on the progress of IS’s single-use drone every week.
After a January raid, the drone and 3D Printer were discovered in his bedroom
The mechanical engineering graduate is thought to have used a 3D-printer, which was found in the house that he shared with parents, to build some components. After a January raid, the drone and 3D-printer were discovered in his room. The drone and 3D printer were confiscated by the police along with several other devices, including a laptop and phones.
According to West Midlands detectives, review of the seized devices revealed multiple conversations demonstrating al-Bared’s support for IS, alongside extremist material. The police also discovered that al-Bared completed an IS registration form and had registered a UK-registered firm to facilitate plans for international travel.
“It is our clear view that this man was very, very dangerous, that he was building something that was a weapon to be used to deliver chemicals to cause harm to people who didn’t share his extremist views,” said DCS Mark Payne, as reported in the Guardian.
You can also find out more about the following: Commander of the West Midlands counter-terrorism unit stated that Bared ‘clearly had a terrorist mindset’.
We are of the opinion that this man is very, very dangerous
Al-Bared claims that he did not make the drone to support IS, but rather for his own research. Bared, despite reports that he was obsessed with IS claims to only have done online research to counter its aims.
Evidence presented in court showed al-Bared had researched chemicals such as sarin, ricin, and mustard gas, as well as material on electronic devices, detonators and an ‘explosive head’ for his drone. It was stressed that the detailed chemical equations found in his notebooks were not part of al-Bared’s university studies, and were intended to aid the construction of the ‘kamikaze’ drone.
Al-Bared, who was completing his PhD at the University of Birmingham when he was arrested, has been suspended from his studies. A University of Birmingham spokesperson stated the university continued to support authorities throughout the investigation, and have been ‘assured by police’ that there ‘was no threat or risk to University staff, students or the wider community.’
Al-Bared’s conviction was announced on September 28th, after a five-week long trial at Birmingham Crown Court.Th. He was found guilty of one count of engaging conduct to prepare terrorist acts for the benefit of an organisation that is prohibited.
Al-Bared remains in police custody pending his sentence on 27th September.Th November. He could face a sentence of life imprisonment.
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