A terror suspect accused of attacking police officers outside Buckingham Palace with a samurai sword drew ‘posters’ in prison of an officer being shot by a man shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, a jury heard.
Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, 27, also sketched a picture of a plane hitting the Twin Towers, and then pinned them up on his cell wall when he was remanded in custody.
The Uber driver accepts he drove his car to the palace then brandished a samurai sword on August 25, 2017, but told the Old Bailey he was trying to trigger a ‘death by cop suicide’ – not a terror attack.
He had also brought a knife sharpener from Sainsbury’s to the scene with him. An imitation gun was also found at his flat which prosecutors say could have been used to fool cops instead of the ‘deadly’ sword.
A search of his prison cell was then carried after the discovery, which revealed a piece of paper headed ‘TAGHUT’, a term for worship other than of Allah. Chowdhury was born in London in May 1991 and later moved to Luton, working as a self-employed Uber driver.
He left a ‘suicide note’ on his sister’s laptop on the night, which said: ‘Tell everyone I love them and that they should struggle against the enemies of Allah with their lives and their property. ‘The Queen and her soldiers will all be in hellfire.
‘They go to war with Muslims around the world and kill them without any mercy. They are the enemies Allah tells us to fight.’ Jurors heard Chowdhury’s mother had suffered from bipolar throughout their childhood, with her disorder having an impact on the family.
The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, told jurors that the case may engage their emotions but a ‘reasoned and calm mindset’ was needed to try Chowdhury. Chowdhury, of Luton, denies one count of preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
The trial continues.
