Printing Terror

The arrest of a man on terrorism offences was first reported in January 2023, without too much information in the press about the nature of the acts.

He has now gone to trial and been found guilty, and according to the Counter Terror Policing website, Mohamad Al-Bared, of Coventry, made a drone specifically to transport an explosive or chemical weapon into enemy territory for the Islamic State (IS). Component parts for the drone were made on his 3D printer found at his home address, his phone and laptop were also seized.

Following intricate analysis of these devices, detectives revealed a series of conversations on his devices clearly demonstrating his support for ISIS as well as extremist material and violent propaganda videos. During a search of his address, detectives also found notebooks detailing chemical equations and recipes for chemical weapons.

Despite Al-Bared having studied mechanical and chemical engineering, it was clear that the chemicals referenced were to be used as weapons rather than as part of his studies.

Al-Bared, who was studying engineering at Birmingham university denied he had plans to join and assist IS, and that he made the drone for his own reserach purposes. 

Al-Bared is due to be sentenced on November 27.