Man sentenced for sharing terrorist content

A man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sharing terrorist content.

He has also been given a Serious Crime Prevention Order for a period of five years upon release and will be subject to notification requirements under part 4 of the Counter Terrorism Act 2008.

Mohammed Jaza Hamasaleh was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to seven counts of dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Officers from CTPNW and GMP executed a warrant at Hamasaleh’s previous home address  in Longsight in February 2023 and seized electronic devices.

After examining the devices police found that he had shared numerous extremist videos and digital files with others, despite knowing that the content showed support for terrorist organisations.

During his appearance at Manchester Crown Court in May 2024, Hamasaleh admitted that he had shared some of the materials with the intention of encouraging others in the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. However, in other cases, he accepted that he had been reckless in sharing the materials rather than intending to encourage others.

Head of investigations for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, Detective Superintendent Ben Cottam, said: “The sentenced imposed on Mohammed Hamasaleh reflects the severity of his actions. In some cases, he was reckless in his behaviour but, in others, he admitted he intended to encourage individuals to subscribe to the same extremist views he held.

“The potential ripple effect from sharing extremist material and encouraging support for terrorist organisation is one that can be felt across communities which is why it is important that individuals such as Hamasaleh face consequences.