British student charged with making chemical weapons for IS

Mohamad Al-Bared has denied supporting IS after the device was found in a private room at his home in Coventry along with a 3D printer capable of making parts for it.

Prosecutors say the device could be used by IS militants to launch chemical or other weapons attacks in their hostile territory.

Al-Bared denied charges of involvement in preparations for terrorist activities.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard the mechanical engineering student was arrested during a raid on his home.

Police officers seized several devices, along with an IS membership form that Al-Bared, 27, did not admit to filling out.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said the drone design was “somewhat inspired by the Tomahawk missile” based on documents found on Al-Bared’s electronic devices.

The prosecutor said the documents discovered included detonators, mechanical detonators and “explosive warheads.”

The drone presented to the jury also included landing gear and a small camera.

World - British student accused of making chemical weapons for IS

Al-Bared, who is currently studying laser drilling at the University of Birmingham, said he had no intention of supporting IS and had designed the drone for personal use.

Al-Bared also said he researched IS in order to make his point against the group's goals known to others at the mosque he attended.

Prosecutors, however, have claimed encrypted online conversations and other video material clearly show Al-Bared supporting IS and intending to build “single-use” video drones for terrorist purposes, with the ability to strike Africa via Turkey.

This judgment was made after much preparation since January 2022.

Judge Paul Farrer KC, in sentencing, said the sentence imposed on Al-Bared was “of an extremely serious nature” and a lengthy prison sentence was “an inevitable consequence” at the next hearing on November 27.

West Midlands counter-terrorism police said Al-Bared had found a way to transport the drone to the battlefield without being stopped by the authorities and had set up a shell company so he could use the travel as a pretext for official purposes.

Mark Payne, commander of West Midlands Police, said: “Al-Bared is a calculating individual, with a background in mechanical and chemical engineering and a demonstrated history of being a dangerous individual.”

“He has purposely built drones with the ability to carry explosives or chemicals, to be used as weapons on battlefields.”

“Thankfully he was unable to continue making them after being caught earlier this year,” said Mark Payne.

Nguyen Quang Minh (according to BBC)

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