Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Poppy day 'plotter took picture of police community support officer in mosque car park just days before ISIS told followers to bring terror to the West'

  • Haseeb Hamayoon, 28, took photo at mosque in Hounslow, west London
  • He allegedly messaged co-defendant Nadir Syed to report seeing a 'kaffir'
  • Nadir Syed replied saying he was sent by MI5 'to keep an eye', court told
  • Two men and Yousaf Syed, 20, accused of plotting Remembrance Sunday attack
One of the alleged Poppy day plotters took a picture of a police community support officer patrolling a mosque car park just days before ISIS told followers to bring terror to the West, a court has heard.

Haseeb Hamayoon, 28, allegedly took the photograph from inside his car as the officer walked through the area in Hounslow, west London.

Minutes earlier, he had apparently messaged his co-defendant Nadir Syed, 22, on the secure messaging app Telegram to say: 'Look at this kaffir. Hounslow mosque parking lot.'

Gun-toting: Jurors were shown this image of alleged terrorist Haseeb Hamayoon, 28, aiming a pistol at a camera
Accusation: Hamayoon, pictured loading the weapon, which may be a replica, has been accused along with two friends of plotting a Remembrance Day beheading
Gun-toting: Jurors were shown this image of alleged terrorist Haseeb Hamayoon, 28, aiming a pistol at a camera. The court heard today how he took a photo of a PCSO strolling through a mosque car park 

Suspect: Pictured is Nadir Syed, one of the three accused over the alleged terrorism plot. His cousin Yousaf Syed, 20, is also on trial accused of plotting a Remembrance Day beheading 
Suspect: Pictured is Nadir Syed, one of the three accused over the alleged terrorism plot. His cousin Yousaf Syed, 20, is also on trial accused of plotting a Remembrance Day beheading 

When Nadir Syed replied asking how he could 'pray in such a place', Hamayoon said he was 'walking out' after giving the 'kaffir cop' a 'dirty look', the court heard. 

Nadir Syed then allegedly warned his friend, writing: 'He's looking for you mate. Mi5 sent him to keep an eye on you.'

Days later, the men were allegedly inspired by a fatwa delivered by ISIS spokesman Abu-Mohammad al-Adnani which urged attacks on 'police, security and intelligence members' in the West. 

The duo are accused of planning to emulate Lee Rigby's murder in the run up to last year's Poppy Day commemorations. 

They were arrested along with Nadir Syed's cousin Yousaf Syed, 20, on November 6 last year - three days before Remembrance Sunday - after buying a knife from a kitchen shop in Ealing. 

All three men are accused of preparing for an act of terrorism but deny the charges. 
Today, jurors heard how Hamayoon posted a YouTube review to Nadir Syed of a Victorinox eight-inch chef's name as they chatted online, the court heard. 

An American voice can be heard extolling the blade's virtues and at one point saying: 'I have never experienced a knife that's so sharp, so I highly recommend it.'

He adds: 'This thing came extremely sharp from the manufacturer and it's just a pleasure to use.'

Jurors were shown an image recovered from Nadir Syed's phone which showed a bowl of popcorn in front of a laptop which was playing an ISIS propaganda film entitled Flames of War
Jurors were shown an image recovered from Nadir Syed's phone which showed a bowl of popcorn in front of a laptop which was playing an ISIS propaganda film entitled Flames of War
The demonstrator uses the knife to slice through a piece of paper and tells viewers: 'I can see why everyone is raving about it'. 

Four minutes after Hamayoon posted the video, Nadir Syed replied: 'lol brother.'

Hamayoon then posted: 'Yes brother, good knife eh.'

Nadir Syed and Yousaf Syed laughed as the video was played in court. 

Jurors also heard more evidence gathered from the phones of the three defendants.

The court was shown an image recovered from Nadir Syed's phone which featured a bowl of popcorn in front of a laptop playing an ISIS propaganda film entitled Flames of War.

Two days later, Nadir Syed received a WhatsApp message which revealed news of the Islamic State fatwa that prosecutors claim inspired the men.

The message said: 'Breaking: Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al Adnani has released a new speech...'

The post was shortly followed by: 'IS Spokesman Abu Mohamed al-Adnani issues an order to kill civilians everywhere in the West 'to defend the Caliphate'.

Minutes later, an image was created on his phone of Lee Rigby murderer Michael Adebowale, who was stood in the street with a knife.

The image was followed by a screenshot of a message, which read: 'Is spox Adnani has called for random car/rock/knife killings of citizens in countries helping US was 'especially z spiteful & filthy French.'
The court also heard how Hamayoon discussed buying a 'shahada' or 'martyr' jacket, telling the Telgram group: 'I'm trying to get hold of a jacket. It's like a vest.' 

During another discussion, when a friend refers to Michael Adebolajo as a 'diamond geezer', Nadir Syed replies: 'Indeed.'  

In court: This court sketch shows (left to right) Hamayoon, Nadir Syed and Yousef Syed. The three men were arrested on November 6 last year - three days before Remembrance Sunday - after buying a knife
In court: This court sketch shows (left to right) Hamayoon, Nadir Syed and Yousef Syed. The three men were arrested on November 6 last year - three days before Remembrance Sunday - after buying a knife
The trio had images of ISIS beheadings and others, like this taken from Nadir Syed's phone, featuring the ISIS flag
The trio had images of ISIS beheadings and others, like this taken from Nadir Syed's phone, featuring the ISIS flag
This image, again taken from one of the trio's mobile phones, shows two men holding a banner celebrating the so-called caliphate which ISIS declares it has established in parts of Iraq and Syria
This image, again taken from one of the trio's mobile phones, shows two men holding a banner celebrating the so-called caliphate which ISIS declares it has established in parts of Iraq and Syria

The court heard how another member posted that Nadir Syed was 'on benefits in the country u hate' to which he responded: 'just ride it out'.

Nadir Syed then allegedly posted a photograph of Lee Rigby followed by a bearded Muslim pointing a gun at the camera, with the caption: 'It's not impromptu, it's not asylum seeking. It's an invasion!'

Yesterday, jurors were shown images extracted from the phones of the three men, which they traded in the run-up to their arrests. 

The pictures include a hoodie sporting the ISIS flag, a banner celebrating the so-called caliphate the terror group has established - and also images of one of them brandishing a gun.  

One photograph shows Hamayoon sitting in a kitchen and posing with a pistol, which he aims at the camera. It is not clear whether the gun is real or a replica. 

Members of the jury also saw an image from Nadir Syed's phone, showing a vicious serrated knife.

Prosecutors have said the three spent the days leading up to November trying to source knives 'of sufficient quality' to kill someone in a bloody emulation of the murder of Lee Rigby. 

Nadir Syed's phone also contained this image of a serrated knife, the jury was told. The three were arrested after buying a knife days before Remembrance Day
Nadir Syed's phone also contained this image of a serrated knife, the jury was told. The three were arrested after buying a knife days before Remembrance Day

They were also presented with records of conversations the men had had, in which they shared an ISIS propaganda video which one said had 'made my day'.

The court heard Nadir Syed was doing community service - his punishment for a public order offence - when he received footage of British journalist John Cantlie in captivity.

In the video he criticised the West and said he feared that his captors may kill him.

When he received the video, Syed said: 'Nice one, I'm bored s***less at com service. U made my day.'  

Later he posted a picture of a 'black Ninja sword and sheath' with a 19ins blade from the website bladebargains.co.uk

Hamayoon added: 'F the kuffar [non-believers] and the system.' Hamyoon sent Syed a video called 'Mujahideen Moments Part 3' and Nadir Syed wrote back: 'Nice one, let me get popcorn ready.  

'Beautiful film, talent, bare [lots of] talent,' Haayoon commented, as another friend wrote: 'Spielberg aint got nothing on them.'

On the anniversary of 9/11 Yousef Syed suggested 'we should link up for a chill out.' Nadir Syed posted a party emoji and his cousin added: 'It will feel good. Happiness in the air.'

Call to attack: The trio were allegedly inspired by a 'truly chilling' fatwa posted online by Abu Muhammad Al Adnani, the spokesman for ISIS, pictured, which demanded followers kill people in the West, the court heard 
Call to attack: The trio were allegedly inspired by a 'truly chilling' fatwa posted online by Abu Muhammad Al Adnani, the spokesman for ISIS, pictured, which demanded followers kill people in the West, the court heard 

Jurors also saw a picture allegedly saved on Yousef Syed's phone showing two Muslim men joking that the only reason they hadn't joined ISIS is to keep receiving benefits.  

The picture was captioned: 'Really wanna leave to join Isil in Iraq, but I'll lose my JSA bro'.  
Jurors have also been shown video footage, filmed on Yousaf Syed's mobile phone, which showed him and cousin Nadir Syed crushing a commemorative red poppy on the street.

In the short clip, the pair both tread on and kick the symbolic paper flower, worn to remember soldiers killed in wars, before one says: 'May the poppy go to hell, God willing, Inshallah.' 

The court heard Hamayoon, who has a Pakistani passport, had lived in Australia and the USA while the Syeds are both British citizens.

Nadir Syed and Yousaf Syed allegedly attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS, but by the time of their arrest were banned from leaving the country.
The trial continues. 

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