Man who went to Syria guilty of joining al Qaida-linked group
Despite pleas from his family, Giga did not return to the UK for nine years and was arrested upon his arrival on a flight from Turkey last May.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts between August 31 2015 and August 31 2016 by travelling to Syria to fight with the Jaysh Al Fath groups.
The court heard how Giga had left the home he shared with his parents and sister in Hounslow, west London, in August 2015 and informed them he had gone to Syria for jihad.
On September 11 2015 – the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States – he told his sister: 'I have come here to fight for jihad. I'm based in Idlib province and I fight for Jaysh al Fath which is the rebel coalition which includes the Free Syrian Army up to al Qaida-linked groups.
'I have come here to fight against (Bashar) Assad and also to fight against Isis. I can't sit at home when fellow Muslims are in need and their religion is in danger.'
His father responded: 'Please don't do anything that will break my or your mother's or family's heart, stay within the bounds of true Islam and humanity, stay away from extremism and follow the Sunnah.'
But in a further message to his sister, Giga said he had finished his training and had been given the 'opportunity to fight on the front line in the near future'.
He told her: 'I hope more than anything to gain martyrdom while fighting against Isis or against the Assad regime but I fear death as much as anyone else so I am in need of your duas (prayers).'
The court heard that Giga's father did everything he could to try to convince his son to return home and travelled to Reyhanli, a small Turkish town close to the Syrian border.
In a letter to Giga from the border, he wrote: 'I have promısed your mum that somehow I will try my best to convince you to come out of there, and we will settle down anywhere in this world where you feel comfortable and happy…
'Can you for one minute imagine what the rest of her life will be like if something was to happen to you? Isa, her life wıll be destroyed and so will all of ours.
'It is on that basis I beg you to stay safe and come out of there immediately. And stay away from the front line because the Russians are using all kınds of firepower.'
However, Giga appeared to be set on 'martyrdom', the court heard.
Then in December 2015, Giga told his sister that he planned on doing charity work – although the organisation concerned had no record of it – and by August 2016 contact with his family petered out.
Eight years later, Giga was issued an emergency passport by the British Consulate in Istanbul.
Police were waiting when Giga arrived at Heathrow Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight on May 23 2024.
Following his arrest, Giga made no comment in police interviews but in a prepared statement denied he had travelled to Syria to fight or join any groups.
He claimed he had lied to his family about doing charity work, training, fighting and joining groups because he thought they would struggle to understand the idea of going there simply to live.
Giving evidence in his Old Bailey trial, Giga maintained that he had gone to Syria only to live in an Islamic state.
A jury deliberated for 10 hours and 26 minutes to reject his version of events and find him guilty by a majority of 11 to one.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC ordered a report and adjourned sentencing to October 17.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'We have been clear for some time now that anyone returning to the UK suspected of being involved in any terrorist-related activity overseas will be thoroughly investigated.
'We work very closely with other partners and agencies here in the UK and overseas in order to do this and help keep the public safe.
'As this case shows, we will always arrest those who return to the UK after fighting for a terrorist group, no matter how long it has been since they left the country.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Baby-faced Scot obsessed with terrorists threatened to make ‘9/11 look like the Teletubbies' before police raided home
The accused appeared in the dock this week at the High Court in Glasgow BOMB PLOT Baby-faced Scot obsessed with terrorists threatened to make '9/11 look like the Teletubbies' before police raided home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN held during a terror probe claimed he would make the 9/11 attacks "look like an episode of the Teletubbies". Curtis Ross had a fascination with "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski - the lone wolf terrorist who killed three Americans and injured many others over nearly 20 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Curtis Ross appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on terror charges Credit: Alamy 3 The accused had a fascination with "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski Credit: EPA The 24 year-old had been arrested after posting online a clip of him blowing up two gas canisters near the River Leven in Methil, Fife. Ross's home was raided and police discovered a drawing marked "Project Payback". A phone and tablet device were also examined which included the voice message about the 2001 Twin Towers atrocity and him discussing with others "murdering all the people who wronged you". Ross appeared in the dock this week at the High Court in Glasgow. He pled guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which included sending the concerning messages and voice notes on Snapchat and Facebook causing an explosion, filming it and putting the footage on social media between June 25 and July 31 2024. He had a not guilty plea to a charge under the Terrorism Act accepted. Ross was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. A Facebook friend of Ross had spotted the explosion video in late July 2024. He showed it to a young woman who was so "alarmed" she contacted police. Ross was held that day after being spotted in Methil. Detectives - along with Counter Terrorism officers - searched his home in the town. Netflix doc shows how serial killer and 'unabomber' Ted Kaczynski avoided police for over a decade They found the "Project Payback" drawing along with a sketch of what was described as a "homemade explosive device". Inside a desk were various items including a roll of wire, mobile phone batteries, nails, screws and a watch. There were also initial fears about a package in the property which led to homes in the area being evacuated, but it did not contain an explosive. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said Ross "laughed" when first quizzed about what he had filmed, claiming it was an "attempt at satire comedy". 3 Curtis Lee Ross pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to terrorism charges Credit: Spindrift But, he confirmed that he had blown up two butane gas canisters and had posted it on his Facebook page under the name of a Batman comic villain. Mr Farrell: "He made reference to social media corrupting his decisions." Ross was asked about his interest in Kaczynski - captured in 1996 - and said he was "apparently some kind of mail bomber" that he had learned more about by going down a "rabbit hole" online. Ross went on to insist that he himself was "not a terrorist" as he had "made peace with everything in his life". But, police found a series of concerning messages during checks of his phone and black tablet. In late June 2024, he wrote to 15 users on Facebook Messenger: "Here guys, I am just here to inform you that the only thing stopping you from murdering all of the people who wronged you is just a box. "That is only if you cannot do it correctly and make sure enough evidence is gone so that the charges do not stick." He referred to "instructions on how to make a pipe bomb" adding: "Hope this comes in handy for you one day x". In messages on the day of the River Leven explosion, a social media contact called Ross "a human". Mr Farrell then told the court of a Snapchat conversation with a friend shortly before. Ross stated at one stage: "I am going to make 9/11 look like an episode of the Teletubbies, f*** sake." He then backtracked again, claiming it was "satire comedy" and that he was "only joking". The friend replied: "F**k Islam, f**k them all." During further rants, Ross said he had been let down by the "justice system" moaning he had been treated differently because he is a man. In messages to another contact, he said: "I have realised that I simply cannot allow what is happening to humanity and our world to continue. "I can and will have an impact on preventing the worst from happening xx." The court heard there were also photos, videos and sketches of the "Unabomber" on the devices as well as images of a pipe bomb and firearms together with "various other clips which suggest violence". Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports.
Times
2 days ago
- Times
Israel's Operation Wrath of God: do targeted assassinations work?
'The massacre that happened in Israel on October 7, 2023, is sometimes referred to as Israel's 9/11,' Aviva Guttmann writes, 'but, arguably, Israel already had a watershed terrorist moment deeply ingrained in its national consciousness: the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972.' Neither Mossad nor Shin Bet, the domestic security agency, foresaw the Hamas attack or the killing of 11 Israeli Olympic team members. There are other similarities between the two terror attacks: they were both broadcast globally, the Munich massacre on television and the October 7 attack on social media; both sets of terrorists took hostages; and each attack provoked strong Israeli demands for revenge. The parallels with the Hamas massacre of October 7 are not perfect, but Guttmann's book Operation Wrath of God, about Israel's covert assassination campaign after the Munich massacre, is a timely and worthy contribution to intelligence history. That covert campaign — ten missions to kill Palestinians linked with terrorism — has great relevance for today's counterterrorism operations. For instance, is there such a thing as 'surgical justice'?
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
New police figures show shock rise in race hate crime in Scotland
A report by Police Scotland shows that hate crime is on the increase across the country and at a three year high. Record numbers of people across Scotland are falling victim to hate crimes. Shock new figures from Police Scotland show cases of racial and religious abuse have risen sharply in the past three years. However the vast majority of reported crimes now involve what police term a "racial aggravator." Yesterday anti racism campaigners laid the blame for the increase on the far right and political leaders like Nigel Farage who they accuse of stirring up anti immigration sentiments. In 2022 there were 3838 recorded hate crimes where race was a factor, that rose to 3937 in 2023, and 4953 last year. In the first two months of 2025 there were 738 race related crimes reported to police. Among the regular victims of hate crimes are emergency workers. Figures for last year show 59 attacks on First Responders where racial or religious abuse was involved and 15 in the first two months of this year. Leading human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar has no doubt where the blame rises for the increase in reported hate crime. He said:"Sadly, the statistics come as no surprise, when demonising migrants and minorities is now routine for so many politicians and sections of our media. "The likes of Trump and Farage have empowered the racists and far-right, to think they can abuse with impunity." Robina Qureshi of Glasgow based anti racism charity Positive Action in Housing added: "I'm not surprised to see a rise in reported hate crimes – if anything, I'm surprised the numbers aren't even higher. "Nigel Farage lied about the billions we'd save for the NHS if we left the EU. "Now he's back, pointing the finger at refugees and Muslims, hoping we forget who really gutted this country. "We are living through a period of growing economic hardship and political instability, and history shows that in times like these, marginalised communities – particularly Muslims, immigrants and racial minorities – are often scapegoated." Robina then added:"The figures from Police Scotland are just the tip of the iceberg. "We know that around 75 percent of people who experience racism don't report it to the police. "Many people simply don't believe the justice system will protect them or take their complaints seriously. "To rebuild that trust, we need to see real accountability. "That means robust enforcement of hate crime laws, meaningful convictions that show perpetrators will be held responsible, and urgent action to clamp down on social media platforms that spread misinformation and incite racial hatred. "If we don't address both the root causes and the platforms that amplify hate, these numbers will continue to rise – and with them, the danger to the communities most affected." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The rise in crime figures follows the introduction of new hate crime legislation last year by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act became law in April 2024. In the first month alone 462 hate crimes were recorded - a 50 percent increase on April 2023 when 307 complaints were made to police. The following month the number of reports rose to 518 up on the previous years figure of 391. The highest monthly number of complaints since the new law came in was 553 last August up from 366. In the first ten months of the new law there were 4794 hate crimes - more than 2022 and 2023. The Police Scotland report, released under Freedom of Information, also gives a breakdown of the different types of crime where hate crime and racial and religious abuse happens. Hate Crimes are most common where the victim is the subject of threatening or abusive behaviour or the alleged perpetrator is accused of stirring up hatred. However hate crimes have also been recorded against people accused of assault, robbery, domestic abuse, stalking, burglary, shoplifting, arson, knife carrying, vandalism and even offences against children and animals. A Police Scotland spokesperson said:"Hate crime has no place in our society. It will not be tolerated and targeting anyone because of who they are is deplorable. Everyone has a right to live safely as their true and authentic selves, without fear of prejudice. "Continuing to tackle hate crime remains a priority for Police Scotland officers and we treat people who bravely come forward with sensitivity, respect and dignity. "We understand it can be hard for people to report a hate crime, and in some cases to even recognise or acknowledge that they have been a victim. "Some people have been exposed to hate crimes for weeks, months or even years before they are able to report. "Anyone who has been a victim of hate crime should report it Police Scotland and every complaint will be professionally and robustly investigated." There was also an increase last year in the number of religious hate crimes . Police Scotland recorded 572 cases in 2024 compared 477 the previous year. There were also 75 reports in the first two months of this year.
