A Coventry student has been found guilty of building a drone for terrorists. Mohamad Al-Bared hand-made the drone specifically to transport an explosive or chemical weapon into enemy territory for ISIS.
The device was seized when police raided Al-Bared's home in Kare Road home on January 31. They also took a 3D printer and several devices including phones and laptop. Painstaking analysis of the devices revealed a series of alarming conversations that highlighted his support for ISIS as well as extremist material and violent propaganda videos.
They also found notebooks detailing chemical equations and recipes for chemical weapons. Despite Al-Bared having studied mechanical and chemical engineering, it emerged that the chemicals referenced were to be used as weapons rather than as part of his PhD studies.
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His devices also revealed conversations on how he had researched and worked out how to get the drone into a war zone without being stopped by authorities. The 26-year-old had also set up a bogus company so he could pretend to be travelling on business.
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, today (September 28) a jury found him guilty of preparing acts of terrorism after building a drone with the intention of supplying it to a banned terrorist organisation. He will now be sentenced on November 27.
'Calculated and very dangerous'
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, said: "Al-Bared was a calculated individual and coupled with his education and expertise in mechanical and chemical engineering he was clearly very dangerous. He has made a purpose-built drone able to carry explosives or chemicals to be used as a weapon in a war zone.
"Thankfully he was unable to continue his efforts following his swift arrest earlier this year. The jury heard how security-conscious he was, going to great lengths to try to hide anything that might lead to his identification.
"Today’s verdict means a dangerous individual has been taken off our streets. There is no place in our society for individuals intent on participating in terrorism activity.
"We will continue to work with partners and the CPS to protect our communities by pursuing and prosecuting such individuals. We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area."
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