What happens when he gets out? What will be done at the young offenders’ institution over the next three years and four months to disabuse Syed Choudhury of his jihadist notions? Why, nothing, of course. To attempt something like that would be “Islamophobic.”
“The Cardiff extremist who wanted to join Islamic State in Syria: How police caught their man,” by Huw Silk, Wales Online, July 7, 2015:
A teenager from Cardiff who planned to travel to Syria to join so-called Islamic State (IS) was caught after taking part in a demonstration in the Welsh capital last summer, police have said.
Police have revealed details of their investigation after Syed Choudhury was sentenced to 40 months’ detention at a young offenders’ institution.
The 19-year-old, from the Grangetown area of the city, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act when he appeared at the Old Bailey last month.
And the Cardiff and Vale College student’s sentencing on Tuesday came almost a year after taking part in a protest march in Cardiff, which saw some participants waving the distinctive black-and-white IS flag.
Marched through Cardiff
Choudhury first drew attention to himself when he took part in a march along Queen Street.
It prompted an investigation by the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit.
Choudhury was arrested just over four months later, on December 4 last year, at his home address in Allerton Street, Grangetown, on suspicion of supporting a banned organisation.
On his Twitter feed, which also depicted Choudhury apparently wearing an IS shirt, he posted a link to a Washington Post story about an American soldier shot dead in California with the message “Justice served”.
‘Gay people should be killed’On the day of his arrest he sent three messages which read: “Islam is a beautiful religion. That can solve all the problem (sic). That can give rights to the people. Who can be so blind not to follow it.”
He had also been heard saying “gay people should be killed and go to hell”.
Under questioning at a Cardiff police station Choudhury was described by officers as being “openly supportive” of IS – and claimed he would travel to Syria to “fight for the cause”.
He also agreed with the principle of martyrdom and the “violent rejection of other faiths and democratic ideologies”.
Pleaded guilty to terror chargeChoudhury, who is originally from Bradford, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of another offence – engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts.
Having been granted a warrant allowing him to be held for a further seven days by Westminster magistrates police charged Choudhury with the latter offence on December 10.
He pleaded guilty on June 17 and was sentenced on Tuesday….