The ‘social media jihadis’

Two teenagers glorified jihad over social media, the Old Bailey heard today (FRI).

Luqmaan Ahmed and Kashif Riaz, both 18, are accused of sending propaganda videos depicting extreme violence on WhatsApp and Instagram.

According to the charges the pair were sending the clips from January 2018 to March 2018 while living in Manchester.

Ahmed is said to have sent Riaz a video over the communication application called ‘The Battle of Abu Duhur’ while another film called ‘Dying Martyr’ was sent by Riaz to his co-accused.

They are said to have used Instagram accounts using false names to post statements likely to induce members of the public to commit acts of terror.

Both 18-year-olds appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey today (FRI).

Mr Justice Sweeney set a pre-trial and preparation hearing for 1 May and a provisional trial date for 27 July both to be held in Manchester.

Ahmed of Broome Lane, Levenshulme, and Riaz, Damien Street, Longsight, both in Manchester are charged with two counts of encouraging acts of terrorism.

Riaz faces a further six counts of disseminating terrorist material with Ahmed faces the same number of allegations relating to the same offences plus a further count of encouraging terror.

Ends.