Mohamed Mohamoud, a 22-year-old Somalian national from Bristol, has been jailed for 12 years for preparing acts of terrorism after attempting to join Islamic State (IS). The sentence, with an additional four years on extended licence, was handed down at the Old Bailey on Monday, October 19.
Travel to Somalia and Contact with Recruiters
Mohamoud, who lived with his mother and brother in Bristol, left the UK on January 30, 2025, flying to Garowe in north-east Somalia. Although he booked a return flight, messages later revealed he had no intention of coming back. At the time, he was aged 20.
After arriving in Somalia, Mohamoud messaged an AI bot used to facilitate contact with IS and was put in touch with a recruiter named Abu Ali. When asked if he was aware of an ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the country, Mohamoud replied: "Yeah brother, I am fully aware. I’m longing for martyrdom, honestly, there’s no better moment than right now."
Arrest and Investigation
Unable to secure a route into IS-controlled territory, Mohamoud returned to the UK on March 4, 2025, but remained in contact with recruiters and reiterated his intention to go back to Somalia. He was arrested on January 20, 2026, and detectives seized his mobile phone, uncovering messages, videos, and images that showed his commitment to violent IS ideology.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East launched an investigation, leading to Mohamoud's conviction for preparing acts of terrorism. Judge Justice Lickley told him: "You did everything you could to join IS and were prevented by factors beyond your control. I am satisfied if you had joined you would have been used in a combat role."
Sentencing and Reaction
The court heard Mohamoud became interested in IS after watching extreme videos on YouTube and TikTok. The judge described him as not unintelligent but "naive," adding that until he changed his radical beliefs, he posed a danger to the public. In mitigation, Dominic Thomas said: "He went there to fight and die. He made no bones about it. He was not recruited because anyone who might be in a position to recruit him was presumably too busy fighting. The prospect of him causing harm to others was equally low."
Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "Mohamoud was determined to join Daesh and took concrete steps to make that a reality. He even utilised an AI chatbot to contact a recruiter in his bid to join the illegal terrorist organisation. He actively embraced the organisation’s violent extremist ideology, sought guidance, and travelled to Somalia with the intention of linking up with fighters aligned to the group. The evidence showed this was not a spontaneous decision or a misguided trip abroad. His actions were carefully planned and driven by a commitment to support and become a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation. The CPS worked closely with Counter Terrorism Policing South East to build a strong case, using messages, digital material and travel evidence to demonstrate his intent. Terrorism-related offending remains a significant threat, and we will not hesitate to prosecute those who seek to support or join terrorist groups."
