Birmingham PhD student found guilty of building drone to deliver weapons for ISIS

From the Birmingham Mail

A Midland PhD student has been found guilty of designing and building a drone capable of delivering an explosive or chemical weapon into enemy territory for ISIS. Mohamad Al-Bared, of Kare Road in Coventry, used a 3D printer to make the component parts for the drone at his home address.

The 26-year-old was arrested on January 31 in Coventry as his home was raided by officers who seized the drone, 3D printer and several devices including phones and laptop. After they were analysed, detectives reportedly found a series of conversations on his devices clearly demonstrating his support for ISIS as well as extremist material and violent propaganda videos.

Opening the Crown’s case in August, at the start of a five-week trial, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told how Al Bared had filled in an IS application form and set up a UK-registered company to help plans for future foreign travel.

Written material suggesting the drone was “somewhat inspired by the design of the Tomahawk missile” was also put before the jury, in what the prosecution said was Al Bared describing his build process.

Ms Heeley said of the evidence found on an electronic device, which also included references to fuses, mechanical detonators and an “explosive” head: “He is literally reporting back to someone about what it is that he is doing. What drone for legitimate use needs an explosive head? What does need an explosive head is a drone that has been designed on a missile.”

He also researched chemicals including sarin and ricin and mustard gas.

He denied being a supporter of IS or its aims, having told jurors he had no plans to assist it in any way and that he made a drone for his own research purposes. He also claimed to have researched IS to argue against its aims with others at a mosque.

Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for around six hours over two days before unanimously convicting Al Bared.

Al-Bared was remanded in custody and told he may face a life term when he is sentenced on November 27.

Adjourning sentence after Al Bared was convicted, Judge Paul Farrer KC said: “The court is going to have to consider whether the appropriate sentence is one of life imprisonment. You have been convicted of an offence of the utmost gravity. A long prison sentence is the inevitable consequence of that, but the length and nature of that sentence is a matter for careful consideration.”

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, described Al-Bared as “a calculated individual”. He continued: “Coupled with his education and expertise in mechanical and chemical engineering, he was clearly very dangerous. He has made a purpose-built drone able to carry explosives or chemicals to be used as a weapon in a war zone. . . “