Sahayb Abu (pictured), 27, allegedly wrote knives do not do ‘much damage’
A rapping jihadi accused of plotting an attack during the coronavirus pandemic chatted to an undercover police officer on a Telegram group, a court has heard.
Unemployed Sahayb Abu, 27, allegedly wrote knives do not do ‘much damage’ on the chat group after six people were seriously injured during an attack in Glasgow last year.
He has been accused of buying an 18-inch sword, a knife, balaclava, gloves, hat and combat body armour before he was arrested on July 9 last year.
The Old Bailey heard how he chatted about firearms with an undercover police officer he met through an Islamic State supporters’ Telegram chat group.
Giving evidence from behind a screen, the officer, known as Rashid, said he was already a member of the 1,300-strong Servants of the Unseen group when Sahayb joined.
Sahayb bought a Persian ‘Qama knife’ and a smaller blade after chatting to his older sibling on iMessage about their fervent belief in the death cult, it was said.
Muhamed Abu, 32, knew all about his relative’s views and was under a legal obligation to tell the authorities what Sahayb was up to but did not, jurors heard.
Muhamed Abu (left), 32, knew all about his relative’s views and was under a legal obligation to tell the authorities what Sahayb (right) was up to but did not, jurors heard
In one discussion about guns, Sahayb, using the handle Tariq Bin Ziyad, said that in the UK ‘cops are seizing Skorpions and Uzis just lying around collecting dust’.
Sahayb has been accused of buying an 18-inch sword (pictured) before his arrest
On June 26 last year, he allegedly commented on an image of a male being beheaded saying: ‘Ha ha ha that kuffar (non-believer) is gone, head taken off its body.’
In the group chat, the court heard he referred to a stabbing incident at a Glasgow hotel that occurred that day in which six people, including a police officer, were seriously injured.
‘That’s the thing, there’s only knives in the UK, it’s not going to do much damage,’ he allegedly wrote.
Rashid, using the handle Abu Hamza, replied: ‘There’s guns trust me.’
The jurors were told that Sahayb responded: ‘Yes, there is guns but it’s underground bro. Criminals are selling it.’
The officer went on: ‘The truth bro, I would never buy a gun from the UK.’
The court heard that Sahayb said: ‘It’s possible but wallahi (I swear) these kuffar (non-believers) got jinns and shaytaan (devils) working for them, they don’t sleep Akhi (brother). They constantly plot and plan like human devils.’
The Old Bailey heard how Sahayb (pictured) chatted about firearms with an undercover police officer he met through an Islamic State supporters’ Telegram chat group
The discussion continued about smuggling guns, the court was told.
Tariq Bin Ziyad, Sahayb’s alleged user name, wrote privately to the undercover policeman: ‘I’m only telling you this for the sake of Allah and because you’re my Muslim brother.
‘Me and my family have had a whole world turned upside down, because my brother and sister and her brother were disseminating videos and pictures to each other.
‘The feds came and locked them all up, even my sister for a year.’
Believing Rashid was in the US, he allegedly wrote: ‘I’m from the UK it’s different here, you can’t express nothing from IS, all that crap about freedom of speech, expression goes straight in the trash, in the bin.
Muhamed Abu (pictured), from South Norwood, southeast London, denies failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000
‘You can’t do anything close to what you can do to express your support. You go to prison straight away under article blah blah blah. Are you telling me you can go out with a black flag?
‘If you try that here sharing content you going straight to jail man. I just came out recently, come out three months ago, I’m just enjoying my freedom.’
Sahayb told police he was an online ‘troll’ parodying drill rappers who often wield weapons during their music videos.
The Old Bailey has heard he sent his brother videos of himself rapping about ‘sending bombs’ and ‘eliminating foes.’
Muhamed also allegedly recorded ‘drill’ tracks, including one in which he rapped: ‘Let’s get merky [murderous], let’s get hurty, I’ve got bombs that are just worthy.’
Jurors heard Sahayb joined a Telegram group called ‘Servants of the Unseen’ where users shared extremist views and materials.
Sahayb bought a Persian ‘Qama knife’ and a smaller blade after chatting to his older sibling on iMessage about their fervent belief in the death cult, it was said. Pictured, he also allegedly purchased a balaclava, left, and a combat hat, right
Sahayb in one of a series of homemade videos he sent to his brother Muhamed on June 30 last year, which has been shown at the Old Bailey
The undercover police officer told jurors the group was overseen by an ‘Emir,’ and each new member was vetted by the group administrator before the rest of the members would agree they could join.
Between June and July 2020 Rashid, using the name ‘Abu Hamza,’ communicated with members of the group, purporting to be able to smuggle people and weapons into the UK.
Sahayb, using the name ‘Tariq Bin Ziyad’ joined the group and began to communicate and share images with members.
Everything he shared was recorded by mole Rashid.
‘The time for talking is over, one hundred percent, talking is over, the kuffar aren’t talking that’s for sure,’ he allegedly wrote on 25 June.
‘I’ve got travelling blood man, I love to just disappear and get out of here, north Africa would be amazing,’ the user wrote on 24 June following a discussion about terrorist group GIA in Algeria.
Sahayb Abu, from Dagenham, Essex, denies preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Muhamed Abu, from South Norwood, southeast London, denies failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The trial continues.