Three alleged jihadists deny "intent on Remembrance Day beheading"

On Monday 12^th October, the jury at Woolwich Crown court were inform that three alleged jihadists had planned a beheading using a hunting knife, on Remembrance Day, in the name of Islamic State.

The court were told how the three men, Nadir Syed (22), from Hounslow, Yousaf Syed, (20), from High Wycombe, and Haseeb Hamayoon (28), from Hayes, had filmed themselves stamping on a poppy, which was shown to the jurors. The jury was informed how the three men were “unnaturally interested in murders and beheadings” and took interest in the killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby, in Woolwich 2013.

The trio were arrested on 6^th November 2014, and it is said that their “catalyst for violence” came in September 2014, after an Isis spokesman, Abu Muhammad al Adnani, issued a “chilling” fatwa, goading followers to attack westerners. He said, “Rig the roads with explosives for them. Attack their bases. Raid their homes. Cut off their heads.”

It was further alleged that Nadir and Yousaf Syed had shared images of beheading with Haseeb Hamayoon and two of them also had photographs of police community support officers on their mobile phones. It is alleged that Hamayoon had also purchased a Rambo First Blood II knife.

Prosecutor, Max Hill, QC, said “This fatwa, and the worldwide attacks that followed it, inspired the defendants to plan their own attack in this country, emulating the attack on Lee Rigby carried out by Michael Adebolajo, who they considered to be a mujahid, or Islamic fighter. Their attitude to the poppy as the Remembrance image in this country is clear.”

The three accused, however, deny the allegations. In his statement to the police, Humayoon said that he was a trained chef “and had experience of cooking utensils and knives to a professional standard.”

Nadir Syed said that he went to purchase knives for his mother as “she was complaining about the state of knives in her kitchen”, while Yousaf Syed stated that he had moved into a new home with his wife and wanted to buy a new knife sharpener.

The case continues.