British jihadist who went to fight in Syria in bid for ‘martyrdom’ will be FREED from prison
A British jihadist who went to fight in Syria has been given the green light to leave prison.
Mohammed Nahin Ahmed, one of the UK’s most dangerous terrorists, was sentenced a decade ago after leading guilty to joining a jihadist group.
Ahmed’s friend Yusuf Zubair Sarwar was also convicted as the pair, both 22 at the time, joined an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group Kataib al-Muhajireen.
The group was looking to challenge Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Ahmed and Sarwar were handed 13-year sentences after pleading guilty to one count of engaging in preparation of terrorist acts.
The pair’s actions fell foul of Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
Ahmed looks set for release from prison as the parole board is understood to make a decision in just days, The Daily Mail has reported.
Sarwar was released on licence in April 2022 after a parole board hearing decided he only needed to serve two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being considered for release.
The pair left the UK after claiming to go on a university trip to Turkey.
They left Britain claiming to be going on a university trip to Turkey but went to Syria instead.
Sarwar’s mother, Majida, informed police that her son left a note claiming he had gone to do “jihad”.
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At the time of their sentencing, Judge Michael Topolski said: “They willingly, enthusiastically and with a great deal of purpose, persistence and determination embarked on a course intended to commit acts of terrorism.”
He added: “The consequences for them are dramatic and distressing for the families concerned.
“It is with no enthusiasm that the court sentences young men to significant terms of imprisonment.
“A grave crime has been committed. The sentence in each is an extended sentence of 17 years and eight months.”
Ahmed and Sarwar were found with traces of military-grade explosives when they returned to the UK in January 2014.
Images from their time in Syria also showed the young men armed with guns.
Tory MP Nigel Mills warned the “disturbing” release constituted a “worrying situation”.
A spokesperson for the parole board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mohammed Nahin Ahmed following an oral hearing.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead-up to an oral hearing.
“Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”