Man who shared extremist material showing support for terrorist organisations has been jailed

Mohammed Jaza Hamasaleh (07/11/1999), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (11 December 2024) to 11 years in prison followed by a further one-year extended licence.

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.

Hamasaleh previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

In February 2023, officers from CTPNW and GMP executed a warrant at Hamasaleh’s previous home address on Whiley Street in Longsight and seized numerous electronic devices.

Examination of these devices confirmed that he had shared numerous extremist videos and digital files with others, despite knowing that the content showed support for terrorist organisations.

During an appearance at Manchester Crown Court on 15 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.

In other cases, he accepted that he had been reckless in sharing the materials rather than intending to encourage others.

Detective Superintendent Ben Cottam, Head of Investigations for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, 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.

“I would encourage anyone who comes across extremist content to report it immediately so that action can be taken. This can be done online by visiting www.gov.uk/report-terrorism.”