Highlights
– Scottish “homegrown” terrorist Mohammed Atif Siddique sentenced to eight years in jail
– Authorities announce plans to place up to 1,000 Scottish Muslims terror suspects under surveillance
– British authorities continue to face significant challenges
On October 24, 2007, British-born Muslim, Mohammed Atif Siddique, a shopkeeper’s son and Scotland’s first “homegrown” terrorist, was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of possessing and distributing terrorist propaganda and training materials via the Internet .
On October 28, 2007, authorities announced plans to place as many as 1,000 Scottish Muslims terror suspects under surveillance for suspected terrorist activities in recognition of the need to counter increasing terrorism in the country.
Purportedly, a so-called “hard core” of approximately 20 Islamic extremists with links to foreign terror organizations such as al-Qaeda operating in the north of the country and along Scotland’s border areas is to blame for a “significant” increase to public security. Of concern, the extremists were influencing others in ways previously used by Siddique.
In the months following two failed terrorist incidents in central London and Glasgow, Scotland Airport, on June 29 and June 30, 2007 respectively, British authorities continue to step-up anti-terrorism measures . Specifically, following the lead of European neighbors, British authorities continue to crackdown on individuals responsible for spreading terror propaganda via the Internet.
However, British counter-terrorism authorities continue to face a significant challenge posed by foreign and “homegrown” terrorists alike. We believe authorities will continue their efforts to thwart terror attempts, however it is likely these attempts will be marginally successful in the near-term.
Mohammed Atif Siddique Sentenced
On October 24, 2007, the High Court in Edinburgh, Scotland sentenced 21-year-old Mohammed Atif Siddique to eight years in prison on charges relating to promoting terrorism and distributing terrorist training materials via the Internet. A British-born Muslim, Siddique is a shopkeeper’s son and Scotland’s first “homegrown” terrorist.
In September 2007, British authorities convicted Siddique of providing training material on bomb making and the proper use of low-grade weapons on a number of Internet sites. Additionally, Siddique had threatened to become a suicide bomber and displayed videos of beheadings to would-be followers.
Among the list of Siddique’s offenses, authorities also believe he was in the planning stages of acting in a series of al-Qaeda inspired terror attacks planned in Canada when he was detained at Glasgow International Airport en route to Pakistan in April 2007. Siddique had been under police surveillance for several months when he was detained at the airport.
Mohammed Atif Siddique is Scotland’s first “homegrown” terrorist, however we believe he is likely not the last as authorities announced a second group consisting of approximately 20 like-minded individuals are currently employing similar tactics to influence and recruit nascent followers.
Terror Risk Rising; Surveillance Required
On October 28, 2007, British authorities announced a plan to place as many as 1,000 Scottish Muslims terror suspects under surveillance for activities related to promoting and enacting terrorism.
Touting a marked rise in the number of Islamist extremists resident in Scotland, senior intelligence officials believe these individuals pose a significant threat to public safety.
Specifically, a group of 20 so-called “hard core” radicals are purportedly influencing others in ways previously utilized by Mohammed Atif Siddique. The connection to Siddique touches a sensitive cord, as he is the country’s first “homegrown” terrorist and evidence that terrorism poses a significant threat to Scotland’s homeland. Intelligence officials have revealed the suspects, a number of whom were born and raised in Scotland, pose a similar threat to that of Siddique.
Future Outlook
In the months following two failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow on June 29 and June 30, 2007 respectively, British authorities continue to step-up anti-terrorism measures. Specifically, following the lead of European neighbors such as Denmark, British authorities continue to crackdown on individuals responsible for spreading terror propaganda via the Internet (Previous Report).
However, akin to neighboring European nations, the United Kingdom continues to face significant security challenges at the hands of Islamist extremists. We believe authorities will continue their efforts to thwart terror attempts, however it is likely these attempts will be marginally successful in the near-term.
