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A top cop has said that the couple behind a plot to bomb a London shopping centre were “dangerous individuals who represented a genuine threat”.
Mohammed Rehman and Sana Ahmed Khan were found guilty of preparing for acts of terrorism in the UK by buying chemicals online in order to make explosives for a martyrdom attack. The husband and wife were convicted of the charge during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, December 29.
Rehman was found guilty on two counts of preparing for acts of terrorism, while Khan was found guilty on one count of preparing for acts of terrorism.
Rehman, 25, from Radstock Road in Reading and Khan, 24 from Hutton Close in Earley, Wokingham plotted together after becoming radicalised following a secret marriage in October 2013. They were arrested in May 2015 by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit in a joint operation with the South East Counter Terrorism Unit.
During the trial, the jury heard how Khan financed the entire scheme, funding purchases by taking out numerous loans and transferring cash into Rehman’s bank account.
As well as buying bomb making equipment Rehman studied how to make explosives online, researched Islamic State and looked up details of one of the 7/7 London bombers.
During a search of his home after his arrest detectives found a stockpile of chemicals, bomb making paraphernalia and a hunting knife.
Police also retrieved a video from Khan’s phone after her arrest which showed Rehman carrying out a test explosion in his back garden in November 2014.
One of the things that led officers to Rehman was his prolific activity on Twitter, which included extremist rhetoric alongside images of homemade devices and instructional material.
In one tweet, on 12 May 2015, he wrote: “Westfield shopping centre or London underground? Any advice would be appreciated greatly.”
Text messages between the couple were uncovered showing discussions about buying chemicals, while emails revealed Rehman had also sent Islamic State related video clips to Khan.
Assistant Chief Constable Laura Nicholson, head of the South East Counter Terrorism Unit and Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “These were dangerous individuals who represented a genuine threat but through counter-terrorism policing we were able to intercept them before they could carry out their plans.
“It is clear that Rehman and Khan shared a radical and violent extremist ideology. They actively accessed extremist material on the internet and used social media to develop and share their views as they prepared acts of terrorism.
“The removal of access to terrorist and violent extremist material on the internet is a critical element in preventing radicalisation and terrorist atrocities and we will continue to work with partners to remove such material whenever it is discovered.
“We also rely on the community to help us effectively identify and deal with radicalisation and such threats. Family members are often the first to notice changes in the behaviour of their loved ones – be they sons, daughters, siblings or friends. And I would urge families and communities to be alert to the signs; any concerning changes in behaviour and to raise their concerns early, before it’s too late.”
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, Counter Terrorism lead for the West Midlands, said: “Officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit worked closely with our colleagues at the South East Counter Terrorism Unit throughout this investigation and we are pleased with the result at court today.
“Whilst we remain concerned about people travelling to Syria and the risk they pose should they return to the UK, we also consider the threat posed by UK-based individuals and groups who have never travelled or intended to do so.
“There’s no doubt Mohammed Rehman and Sana Khan were two such people and that the internet played a significant part in their radicalisation.
“Through proactive counter-terrorism policing, we were able to prevent them from causing any harm and we will continue, as part of a network across the country, to work tirelessly to spot extremist content online, so we can act early to keep the public safe.”
Anyone who knows of someone who may be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorist-related activity, including travelling abroad to conflict zones should contact local police for advice and support on 101.
Further information is available on the national Prevent Tragedies website: www.preventtragedies.co.uk.
If you see or hear something that you are concerned could be terrorist related, call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
