Extremist convicted of preparing acts of terrorism

A man who attempted to join the so-called Islamic State (IS) has been found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism.

Mohamed Mohamoud, who was born in Somalia but moved to Bristol in 2020, previously admitted that he flew back to his home country in January 2025 and tried to join the terrorist organisation as a "martyr", but failed to reach the group because of ongoing UK counter-terrorism operations.

During the trial, the court heard the 22-year-old became interested in religion and joining the Islamic State in Somalia (Isis) after he watched "extreme" videos on YouTube and TikTok.

The prosecution at Winchester Crown Court, said: "He aspired not simply to join Isis, but he aspired to martyrdom."

Mohamoud told the court he lived between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates until he moved to Francombe Grove in Bristol to live with his mother and brother.

Naomi Parsons, prosecuting, said Mohamoud became radicalised while he was living in the UK.

She said: "He embraced the ideology of Islamic State.

"And with this came a strong desire to return to Somalia and join Isis, to join the 'Mujahideen', it literally means one who struggles or a fighter, who operate in the mountainous areas near a city called Bosaso, in the north of the Puntland region."

"Indeed not only was it a strong desire, but Mr Mohamoud viewed it as his duty," she added.

The prosecution said Mohamoud booked a return flight to Somalia on 30 January 2025, even though he had failed to find a contact who could help him join the terrorist group.

His attempts to join included interacting with an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot which IS recruiters used to filter potential new members, the court heard.

Parsons told the court that despite having a return ticket booked for 3 March 2025, Mohamoud had no plan to come back to the UK.

She added that he stayed in contact with the Isis recruiters when he arrived back in the UK and told them: "Any time, you say the word, I will return."

Mohamoud had admitted his attempts to join Isis, but denied preparing acts of terrorism.

The defendant said he went to college and studied English, maths and cooking, and had no religious interest until he started to watch a YouTube channel called BlackBeardGuy.

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