Muhammad Billal, 19, was arrested at Manchester Airport as he tried to board a flight to Somalia to join ISIS, after spending months preparing a terrorist attack in the UK
A teenager with plans to orchestrate a terrorist attack was arrested at Manchester Airport while attempting to board a flight to Somalia ‘to join ISIS’. Muhammad Billal, from Nelson in Lancashire, travelled to the airport on November 20, 2024 to catch a flight as part of his intended trip to the East African nation.
He had spent days talking to people who offered him advice on how to gain entry into Somalia and had planned to align himself with the Islamic State organisation. The 19-year-old initially began preparations to execute a terrorist attack on UK soil in February 2024.
Counter Terrorism Policing North West revealed that he amassed copies of terrorist publications and researched how to acquire knives and firearms over several months. He also investigated shooting ranges within the UK with the aim of honing his firearm skills and identifying potential target sites.
Police stated it is not believed that Billal ever pinpointed a final target, but he had explored areas with high pedestrian traffic including shopping centres, train stations, football stadiums and places of worship, reports the Manchester Evening News.
While he did attempt to purchase a firearm, police confirmed he never actually obtained one. In October 2024, he was then persuaded by an online contact to abandon plans for a UK-based attack and instead journey to Somalia to join the violent extremist group ISIS.
He investigated methods to gain entry to Somalia and corresponded with individuals who advised him on accessing the country. However, following an inquiry he was detained by Counter Terror Police at Manchester Airport before he could board a flight departing the UK.
He subsequently admitted guilt to two charges of engaging in preparation for acts of terrorism and four charges of possessing a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
Appearing at the Central Criminal Court in London on Thursday (July 2), Billal, 19, was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years imprisonment, followed by an extended licence period of five years.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “The offences Muhammad Billal has been convicted of are amongst the most serious charges that can be brought against an individual.
“Our investigation into his actions has been meticulous and we have been able to gather evidence which shows a firm intent to engage in acts of terrorism.
“Although he changed his focus from committing an act of terrorism in the UK to committing offences in another country, the level of detail he researched in preparation of an attack here shows the risk he presents to the public. That risk is reflected in the sentence passed today, and we welcome that outcome.”