Man jailed for terrorism offences

A man from Birmingham who was previously convicted of terrorism offences has been jailed after breaching conditions placed upon him as a registered terrorist offender.

Mohammed Zahir Khan, from College Road, Alum Rock, has been sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.

In 2018, Khan was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for five offences of encouraging terrorism, one charge of disseminating terrorism material and two counts of publishing material to stir-up religious hatred.

Following his release from prison in December 2024, the 48-year-old made numerous online posts that expressed support for a proscribed organisation, he also had a smartphone and online accounts which were not permitted as part of his conditions.

Khan was the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order that was placed upon him when released from prison and was required to comply with measures designed to manage terrorist offenders effectively in the community, including measures around his use of electronic devices.

Khan also failed to tell police about two cars he was using, a mobile phone number and an email address which he had used to apply for a passport and a driving licence. He also failed to disclose a bank account. 

He was arrested in March last year and charged with six offences. He pleaded guilty in February to expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, a breach of a Serious Crime Prevention Order and four breaches of Part 4 Notification requirements under Counter Terrorism Act 2008.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst said: “Notification requirements are put in place for all individuals convicted of terrorism offences, this enables us to appropriately manage any risks posed.

“Along with Serious Crime Prevention Orders, these notification requirements are similar to the requirements placed on someone as a Registered Sex Offender and help to disrupt further serious criminal activity.

“We will use all legislation available to us to manage offenders and keep the public safe.”