Husnain Rashid, an alleged supporter of the so-called Islamic State, has been accused of calling for terror attacks to take place at football stadia across the UK.
Woolwich Crown Court in London heard that Rashid allegedly posted a link to a Wikipedia list of venues in order of capacity for so-called ‘lone wolf’ terrorists target.
According to the BBC, Rashid posted the list one day after a terrorist bomb blast at the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul, Turkey, in December 2016. The attack killed a total of 38 people.
The court that heard Rashid, a former mosque teacher from Lancashire, turned his focus to football-focused attacks after the Istanbul incident.
Rashid is also accused of suggesting terrorists target fans at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, saying vehicles, weapons or bombs to be used for attacks.
Prosecutor Annabel Darlow said: “The underlying message clearly intended by the defendant was clear. Encourage lone wolf jihadists, mujahideen operating on British soil, to launch an attack on those watching events in stadiums in this country and suggesting how to maximise the impact.”
Other accusations at the trial include encouraging ‘lone wolf’ attackers to target Prince George’s primary school in London and inject poison into supermarket ice creams.
Rashid is also said to have suggested British Army bases, shopping centres, Jewish communities and government buildings as other potential targets.
Rashid denies three counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, as well as one of encouraging terrorism, two of dissemination of a terrorist publication and one of failing to comply with a notice under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
The trial at Woolwich Crown Court continues.
Image: Aykerim27
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