Taxi Driver Online

Ex minicab firm worker helped teenager travel to Syria to join ISIS

A former London taxi operator who was part of a terror network that helped a teenager travel to Syria to join ISIS is facing jail today.

Forhad Rahman, 21, was instrumental in helping 17-year-old Aseel Muthana join up with the barbaric terrorist group by buying him a plane ticket, arranging his transport to the airport, and helping him obtain a passport.

They discussed Muthana’s plan to join his older brother Nasser in Syria, calling each other “cutie”, “honey” and “babe” in affectionate messages prior to his departure.

Rahman, who worked in an Addison Lee call centre, met Muthana at a Muslim youth event close to his home in Fulham, and they also met up in London as the plan gathered pace.

He was convicted of preparing for acts of terrorism today alongside Kristen Brekke, 20, and Adeel Ulhaq, 21, who also helped Muthana to become a jihadi by offering tips on Syrian travel and buying him outdoor clothing.

All three men are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey this afternoon.

Muthana, a former ice cream salesman, left his family home in Cardiff on February 21 2014 to join the ranks of ISIS.

Prosecutor Annabel Darlow QC said all the members of the terror network shared the same "highly-radical ideology" and believed in waging war in Syria.

The terror network also included two brothers from Portsmouth, Tuhin Shahensha and Mustaqim Jaman, who were jailed for six years for also helping jihadis travel to Syria.

A third brother, Ifthekar Jaman, was killed while fighting in Syria for ISIS, in December 2013.

During the trial, a home-made video of Muthana and Brekke posing with an imitation gun on Asda Hill above Cardiff was played to the jury.

Muthana shared the clip online with Rahman, telling him: "If you are watching this, I'm probably dead or I'm probably a legend or something."

Rahman, who now lives in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, claimed in defence he thought Muthana was going to Syria to "help people" by joining a local militia, denying he knew ISIS was involved.

The sentencing hearing will start at 2pm.

source: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/ex ... 77281.html

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin