A 20-year-old man from Mitcham, identified as Shuja Gibraeel Mohsin, has been pronounced guilty of possessing and distributing terrorist materials, as per the statement from the Metropolitan Police. The verdict was reached after a two-week trial at the Old Bailey. The incident unfolded in January 2024 when Mohsin was intercepted by counter-terrorism officers at Heathrow Airport upon his return from Pakistan.
During a routine “schedule 7” stop, Mohsin’s phone was confiscated by officers for further examination. Subsequently, specialized officers scrutinized his device and a USB stick, discovering that Mohsin had been engaging with extremist Islamist groups such as the Taliban, Hamas, and Daesh through various chat platforms.
Upon scrutinizing his phone, officers uncovered alarming material, including a bomb-making manual and Daesh execution videos that Mohsin had shared with an online contact, as reported by the authorities. Mohsin was taken into custody in March 2024, with his computer also being seized. Following another arrest in July 2024 and subsequent interrogations, Mohsin chose to remain silent regarding the content found on his devices.
After being released on bail, a comprehensive investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service pressing charges against Mohsin in April 2025. The charges include possession of a document likely to aid terrorism, related to the bomb-making manual, and dissemination of terrorist material concerning Daesh execution videos shared online. Mohsin is scheduled to receive his sentence on August 14.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who heads Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, emphasized the concerning trend of youth radicalization and exposure to violent extremist ideologies online. She stressed the importance of parental vigilance regarding children’s online activities and recommended seeking assistance through the ACT Early website if any suspicions arise. Flanagan highlighted the severe repercussions faced by individuals involved in downloading or circulating terrorist content, a reality that Mohsin is currently confronting.
