Source: Sky News – Page 2 – Eye on Islamism

Moroccan asylum seeker Ahmed Ali Alid murdered ‘defenceless pensioner’ in rampage motivated by Gaza, court hears The 45-year-old is accused of attempting to kill his housemate, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, before stabbing pensioner Terence Carney to death in Hartlepool.

April 11, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A Moroccan asylum seeker murdered a “defenceless” pensioner in a rampage motivated by the conflict in Gaza, a court has heard. Ahmed Ali Alid, 45, attempted to kill his housemate, Javed Nouri, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, because […]

Groups accused of ‘extremism’ hit back at Michael Gove and say re-assessment ‘will motivate us’ The communities secretary named five organisations that will be re-assessed against the government's new definition of extremism — and one has now threatened legal action.

March 14, 2024 Rachel McGrath

(Sky News) Two groups set to be re-assessed under the government’s new definition of extremism have hit back at Michael Gove — with one saying the minister’s latest move will only bolster their organisation. Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the communities […]

Michael Gove names far-right and Islamist groups which could fall under fresh extremism definition The communities secretary insisted the government has no intention of restricting 'freedom of expression, religion or belief,' as critics warned the new definition could have a 'chilling effect' on free speech.

March 14, 2024 Jennifer Scott

(Sky News) Michael Gove has named five groups that will be re-assessed as a result of the government’s new definition of extremism. Speaking in the Commons, the communities secretary said two far-right organisations — the British National Socialist Movement and the Patriotic […]

New extremism definition unveiled because ‘democracy at risk from far-right and Islamist extremists’ Michael Gove updates the description to include conduct that falls short of criminality, but the government still deems 'unacceptable.'

March 14, 2024 Alexandra Rogers

(Sky News) The government has unveiled its new definition of extremism despite warnings it could have a “chilling effect” on free speech. Michael Gove, the communities secretary, has updated the definition as part of a drive to clamp down on the Islamist […]

Government’s new extremism definition will ‘vilify the wrong people,’ warn Muslim organisations Groups say the new definition 'signals an attack on civil liberties by attacking law-abiding individuals and groups that oppose government policy' by labelling them as 'extremist.'

March 13, 2024 Jason Farrell

(Sky News) The government’s proposal to redefine extremism will “vilify the wrong people” and “risk more division,” according to a coalition of Muslim organisations. Signatories include groups which fear they may fall under the new definition announced as part of the government’s […]

UK terror attack survivors condemn anti-Muslim hatred in joint letter The signatories, including survivors and relatives of people who have been killed by extremists, have criticised some politicians for 'facilitating anti-Muslim hate.'

March 10, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) More than 50 victims of Islamist-inspired terror attacks, including the Manchester Arena bombing and Bataclan shooting, have joined together to call for an end to anti-Muslim hate. In a joint letter, they warn that it is the “height of irresponsibility” […]

Michael Gove says ‘good-hearted people’ at pro-Palestine marches should question potential ‘extremist organisers’ Tens of thousands of people participated in a Gaza protest on Saturday in London — the fifth march in the capital this year — which saw five arrests and a counter-protester de-arrested.

March 10, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Michael Gove has urged pro-Palestinian protesters to question whether extremist groups are behind some of the demonstrations — days ahead of publishing a new official definition of extremism. The housing secretary said “good-hearted people” attending the marches should be aware […]

Hate preachers to be blocked from entering the UK in fresh crackdown on extremism Ministers already have powers to block people who are 'non-conducive to the public good' — and believe they can be extended to include individuals preaching racism and incitement.

March 3, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Hate preachers are to be banned from entering the UK. It is understood that officials will identify the most dangerous extremists from countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia and add them to a warning list. Anyone on that list will […]

Albanese government urged not to grant visa to Palestinian activist and plane hijacker ahead of socialist conference Anthony Albanese is facing growing calls to ban a Palestinian activist and plane hijacker who glorified the Hamas October 7 attacks from entering Australia ahead of a planned conference in Perth.

February 26, 2024 Tyrone Clarke

(Sky News) The government is being urged to urgently block a pro-Palestinian activist and member of a listed terrorist organisation from entering Australia. Leila Khaled is booked as a keynote speaker at the Socialist Alliance and Green Left’s Ecosocialism conference in Perth […]

Shamima Begum: East London schoolgirl loses appeal against removal of UK citizenship The 24-year-old's legal battle is likely to continue as one of her lawyers said 'as long as she is there, it is not the end.'

February 23, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Shamima Begum has lost an appeal against the removal of her British citizenship. The east London schoolgirl, now 24, travelled to Syria in 2015 at the age of 15, before her citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after […]

Khairi Saadallah: MI5 ‘triaged’ terrorist four times but Reading stabbings could not have been stopped, inquest hears Despite the amount of intelligence the security service had on Khairi Saadallah, a senior manager at MI5 said no 'proportionate actions' could have been taken that would have prevented the terrorist attack.

February 19, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) MI5 “triaged” a violent offender four times before he carried out a terrorist knife attack and killed three men in a park in Reading, an inquest has heard. The agency received intelligence including threats by Khairi Saadallah to “blow himself […]

Radical Islamist preacher Sheikh Abu Bakr Zoud begins Australian tour by praising martyrdom to teenagers Promising them 'paradise' if they recognise their lives are 'worthless'

February 14, 2024 Taylor Auerbach

(Sky News) A radical Islamic preacher has started a firebrand speaking tour of Australia by calling on Muslim doctors to “take advantage” of their “kaffir” patients, lashing the government for legislating matters that are “only the right of Allah to legislate” and […]

Khairi Saadallah: Police officer unaware terrorist had knife in flat day before Reading attack, inquest told Recalling the visit to Khairi Saadallah, PC Lewis Perham told the inquest he 'didn't believe he was in crisis when I met him' and was able to hold a conversation.

February 14, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A police officer who paid a “welfare visit” to a violent offender the day before he launched a terrorist attack has described how he was unaware the man had a knife for the attack in his flat. Khairi Saadallah was […]

Three guilty of terror offence for displaying images of paragliders at pro-Palestine march The trio were found by the Metropolitan Police after a social media appeal and were charged under the Terrorism Act.

February 13, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Three people accused of displaying images of paragliders at a pro-Palestinian march have escaped jail after being found guilty of showing support for a terrorist group. Heba Alhayek, 29, and Pauline Ankunda, 26, and Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo, 27, were handed […]

Khairi Saadallah: Brother of terrorist warned police he could ‘harm himself or others’ day before he killed three, inquest told The brother — a care worker in his mid-30s — said police had visited Khairi Saadallah the evening before the attack, who dismissed concerns about him.

January 24, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) The brother of a terrorist who killed three people in a park in Reading rang police the day before the attack, warning he “could harm himself or others,” an inquest has been told. Khairi Saadallah stabbed to death three men […]

Schoolboy arrested with kitchen knife in rucksack as he prepared ‘imminent’ attack on teacher, court hears The schoolboy, who cannot be named, had allegedly previously planned an attack at the Isle of Wight music festival using a pickup truck and knife, but dropped the plan.

January 17, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A 15-year-old schoolboy who converted to Islam was arrested with a kitchen knife in his rucksack as he prepared for an “imminent” attack on one of his teachers who made a joke about pork, a court has heard. The schoolboy, […]

School banned prayer against backdrop of ‘violence and intimidation,’ headteacher claims Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, is facing a legal challenge from a Muslim student who claims its approach to prayer is discriminatory and 'uniquely' affects her faith.

January 17, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) A school decided to introduce a “prayer ban” for pupils against a “backdrop of events including violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment” of teachers, its founder has said. Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, which was previously dubbed Britain’s […]

Schoolboy planned attack on music festival and said he would ‘slice’ throat of teacher, court hears A jury has heard that a teenage Muslim convert looked up the Isle of Wight Festival as a potential target for a terror attack after developing an 'Islamic extremist mindset.'

January 16, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A 15-year-old schoolboy, who converted to Islam, planned to attack the Isle of Wight music festival using a vehicle and knife, a court has heard. The youth, who cannot be named, was arrested on the day of his alleged planned […]

Four arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences at pro-Palestine protest in London All four people have been bailed to return to a police station in late March.

January 15, 2024 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Four people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences during a pro-Palestine march in London. Police officers detained a 34-year-old man from Kent, a 58-year-old man from west London and a 36-year-old woman from South Yorkshire all on suspicion […]

Reading terror attack: ‘Time has stood still since stabbing,’ family of man killed tell inquest Khairi Saadallah was sentenced to a whole life order after he stabbed three men to death at Forbury Gardens, Reading, in June 2020.

January 15, 2024 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) The family of a man stabbed to death in a park in Reading during a terrorist attack have told the opening of an inquest that “time has stood still” since the attacks. Khairi Saadallah, a Libyan refugee, stabbed three men […]

NSW Police monitoring a Sydney mosque which announced commemorative service for Hezbollah militant killed in Lebanon Sydney mosque Al Rahman has been revealed to be hosting a memorial service this week for a Hezbollah terrorist killed in Lebanon while fighting with Israel.

December 26, 2023 Laurence Karacsony

(Sky News) NSW Police say they are monitoring Al Rahman Mosque as it holds a commemorative service for Hezbollah fighter Hussein Ibrahim Salameh, known as Nasser, killed in Lebanon this month. On Christmas Eve, Hezbollah announced six militants were killed between December […]

Man jailed for spying on Iran International TV channel in London to help terror plotters Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev told the jury at his Old Bailey trial he 'quite simply liked' the buildings and architecture surrounding the west London headquarters of the Iranian television channel.

December 22, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man has been jailed after being found guilty of spying on a London-based dissident Iranian TV station to help terror plotters. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, was accused of conducting surveillance on the west London headquarters of Iran International as […]

Man guilty of spying on London-based TV channel Iran International to help terror plotters Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was accused of conducting surveillance on a media company that was critical of Iran. Asked why he had taken an interest in the building he told the court he was 'in wonder at the architecture.'

December 20, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man has been found guilty of spying on a London-based dissident Iranian TV station to help terror plotters. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, was accused of conducting surveillance on the west London headquarters of Iran International as part of a […]

Man accused of terror spying trip to London claims he took video of TV station in ‘wonder’ of architecture Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with attempting to collect information useful for terrorism. He claims he was 'in wonder' at the architecture in West London and was 'set up.'

December 14, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A Chechen-born man accused of being an “international terrorist” conducting hostile reconnaissance against a dissident Iranian TV station in West London has claimed he was “set up.” Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, is accused of conducting surveillance on Iran International at the […]

Russian-speaking man accused of ‘hostile reconnaissance’ for TV station terror attack told police he was sightseeing in London Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev told security guards outside Iran International's former headquarters in Chiswick that he was in the area to visit a friend and to go sightseeing in London.

December 12, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A Russian-speaking man accused of conducting hostile reconnaissance for a terrorist attack on a dissident Iranian TV station in West London told police he was on a weekend sightseeing visit in the capital, a court has heard. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, […]

Man ‘spied on HQ of London-based TV channel Iran International to help terror plotters’ Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, 31, told security guards outside the channel's headquarters that he was in the area to visit a friend. But he was later arrested by police after he was seen filming the building on his mobile phone, a court was told.

December 11, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) An Austrian man is on trial accused of carrying out “hostile reconnaissance” of a TV station in London that was potentially being targeted for a terrorist attack. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev is said to have tried to covertly film security arrangements outside […]

Arrest made after Tory MP Justin Tomlinson was sent threatening messages about Israel-Gaza conflict Feras Al-Jayoosi, 36, has been charged with stalking Justin Tomlinson, Conservative MP for North Swindon, by allegedly sending him multiple abusive and threatening emails about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

November 25, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) A man has been remanded in custody accused of stalking a Conservative MP by sending him threatening messages about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Feras Al-Jayoosi, 36, was arrested by counter-terrorism police on Thursday and was later charged with stalking Justin Tomlinson, […]

Teenager arrested on suspicion of terror offences — as Met Police urges public to be ‘vigilant’ over Christmas period The 17-year-old boy is detained in north London as part of a probe related to Islamist extremism — with the Met Police saying it is 'very concerned about the increasing numbers of young people we're seeing feature' in its investigations.

November 17, 2023 Daniel Binns

(Sky News) A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of terror offences — as police issued a warning to the public to be “vigilant” over the Christmas period. The 17-year-old boy was detained at a residential address in north London on Thursday […]

Police ‘actively looking’ for individuals over antisemitic signs at pro-Palestinian march While a march in the capital calling for a ceasefire in Gaza remained largely peaceful, images are circulating on social media showing some protesters having carried antisemitic signs. Sky News has also seen antisemitic graffiti close to the route.

November 11, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) The Metropolitan Police has said it is “actively looking” for individuals pictured carrying antisemitic placards at the pro-Palestinian march in London. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a march in the capital on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire […]

Met Police cuts ties with adviser who led controversial chant at pro-Palestinian rally Scotland Yard said the language and views expressed by Mr Malik 'appear antisemitic and contrary with our values' and it would be 'immediately ceasing our relationship' with him while it investigates.

November 5, 2023 Samuel Osborne

(Sky News) The Metropolitan Police has ceased working with an adviser who was filmed leading a chant of the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Solicitor Attiq Malik is chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum, […]

‘These are hate marches’: Home secretary hits out at pro-Palestinian protests as UK terror threat level remains ‘substantial’ When questioned about demonstrations in London, Suella Braverman said police were dealing with a 'large number of bad actors' and urged forces to take a 'zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism.'

October 30, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described street demonstrations in support of Palestinians as “hate marches.” It comes as five people have been charged after a pro-Palestinian protest took place in London on Saturday — the second weekend in a row […]

Israel-Hamas war: Met Police chief calls for ‘sharper’ laws in dealing with extremism Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed — amid criticism of their handling of pro-Palestine protests.

October 29, 2023 Faye Brown

(Sky News) The Met Police chief has said there is scope for “sharper” laws in dealing with extremism as he faces criticism over the handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London. It comes as two women have been held on suspicion of inciting […]

Shamima Begum’s British citizenship removal was ‘unlawful,’ Court of Appeal hears Shamima Begum, then aged 15, travelled to Syria in 2015. She was later found to be living in a refugee camp and shortly after, the Home Office revoked her citizenship and barred her from returning to the UK.

October 24, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) The decision to remove Shamima Begum’s British citizenship was “unlawful,” a court has heard, as her latest appeal against the decision begins. Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 to join Islamic State, when she was aged 15, and her […]

Man accused of planning terror attack on Leeds hospital admits possessing pressure cooker bomb Mohammad Farooq, 28, pleads guilty to a charge of possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. He denies engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts after allegedly planning attacks on St James's Hospital and an RAF base.

October 20, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A clinical support worker accused of planning terrorist attacks on a hospital in Leeds and an RAF base has admitted possessing a pressure cooker bomb. Mohammad Farooq is accused of targeting St James’s Hospital in Leeds after a failed attempt […]

Hartlepool stabbings: Man in court charged with ‘terror-motivated’ murder and attempted murder Ahmed Alid, who was following the hearing with the help of an Arabic interpreter, did not respond when repeatedly asked to confirm his name. Instead, he said: 'I'm very ill, I cannot talk, I cannot speak.'

October 19, 2023 Henry Vaughan

(Sky News) A Moroccan national has appeared at the Old Bailey accused of stabbing a 70-year-old man to death in Hartlepool, in a knife attack alleged to have been motivated by terrorism. Ahmed Alid is charged with the attempted murder of his […]

Spy chief says MI5 ‘absolutely alert’ to risk of UK terror attack amid Israel-Hamas war Ken McCallum also tells Sky News there is a 'sharpened concern' about multiple threats, from far-right antisemitism, Islamophobia, Islamist extremism, and rising state-level aggression — predominantly from China, Russia and Iran.

October 17, 2023 Mark Stone

(Sky News) The director general of MI5 has told Sky News his intelligence officers are “focused with particular intensity” on a growing risk of attacks within the UK following events in the Middle East. In a rare interview, Ken McCallum said: “Sadly, […]

Man pleads guilty to terrorism offences ahead of trial for allegedly planning attack on St James’s hospital in Leeds Mohammad Farooq, 27, is accused of taking a pressure cooker bomb to St James's Hospital in Leeds after a failed attempt to launch a terrorist attack on RAF Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire, motivated by an interest in radical Islam.

October 16, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) A clinical support worker has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences ahead of his trial for allegedly planning an attack on a maternity hospital in Leeds and an RAF station in North Yorkshire. Mohammad Farooq, 27, from Roundhay in Leeds, is […]

Israel-Hamas war: Police seek two women who wore images of paragliders at London protest The images may be a reference to Hamas storming into Israel on motorised paragliders during a surprise attack last weekend that included the murder of 260 people at a music festival.

October 15, 2023 Unlisted Author

(Sky News) Two women who wore images of paragliders on their backs during yesterday’s protest for Palestinians are now being sought by London police. The women, who wore red and black jackets, are being asked to come forward as part of an […]

Several UK Jewish schools close ‘in interests of the safety of our precious children’ It comes as Jewish students were being warned by schools to disguise their uniform because of a fear of retaliatory attacks caused by the ongoing war in Israel.

October 12, 2023 Megan Harwood-Baynes, Becky Johnson and Nick Stylianou

(Sky News) Four Jewish schools in north London are closing their doors “in the interests of the safety of our precious children.” Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware, Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale, and Menorah High School in Neasden informed […]

Man arrested for bringing Israeli flag to Sydney pro-Palestinian protest says ‘police should feel ashamed of themselves’ A Sydney man has slammed police for arresting him after he brought an Israeli flag to a pro-Palestinian rally on Monday night, claiming the actions of the officers were 'excessive.'

October 10, 2023 Stacey Eldridge

(Sky News) A Sydney man arrested for turning up to a pro-Palestinian rally with an Israeli flag has told Sky News Australia that police “should feel ashamed of themselves.” Mark Spiro said he was hauled away by three police officers after being […]

Mohamad al Bared guilty of terror offence after designing ‘kamikaze’ drone for ISIS The PhD engineering student was inspired by Russian attacks in Ukraine.

September 28, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) An academic inspired by Russian attacks in Ukraine to design and build a “kamikaze” drone for ISIS has been found guilty of a terror offence. Mohamad al Bared, 26, a PhD engineering student from Coventry, adapted a fixed-wing drone to […]

Prisoner Daniel Khalife pleads not guilty to escaping from Wandsworth prison The former soldier, 21, was allegedly arrested four days later after an extensive manhunt.

September 21, 2023 Henry Vaughan

(Sky News) Terror suspect Daniel Khalife has denied escaping from Wandsworth prison. The former soldier, 21, is accused of breaking out of the Category B jail on the morning of 6 September. He is said to have been working in the prison […]

Daniel Khalife escaped prison using material which may have been from bed sheets, court hears The former soldier was arrested on Saturday after an alleged 75 hours on the run.

September 11, 2023 Henry Vaughan

(Sky News) Daniel Khalife has appeared in court accused of using bedsheets to strap himself under a food truck to escape from Wandsworth prison. The 21-year-old terror suspect allegedly broke out on Wednesday before being arrested in a London suburb on Saturday […]

Suella Braverman urged to ‘stand up’ to France and demand repayment after reports Channel interceptions are falling Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed a three-year £480m Anglo-French deal in March as a key element of his pledge to 'stop the boats.' Despite this, the Telegraph reports French interceptions in the Channel are falling.

August 18, 2023 Faith Ridler

(Sky News) Suella Braverman has been urged to “stand up” to France as reports emerged the country is intercepting fewer migrants in the Channel despite a £480m funding deal. The call from Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis came as the Telegraph claimed just […]

Over 100,000 people now likely to have crossed Channel in small boats since records began New arrivals crossing the English Channel this week have now likely taken the overall number of people who have made the journey in small boats to more than 100,000 since records started in 2018.

August 10, 2023 Faye Brown

(Sky News) The number of people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats in the past five years is now likely to have passed 100,000. Government figures show that since 2018, when records began, 99,960 people have made the perilous […]

Banks accused of closing accounts belonging to British Muslims The Muslim Council of Britain has written to political leaders, saying members of the community are 'disproportionately affected' and need to have their rights protected.

August 1, 2023 Jennifer Scott

(Sky News) British Muslims are having their bank accounts closed “without adequate transparency and recourse,” representatives have claimed. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said individuals and organisations in the community were being “disproportionately affected by this issue” — leaving the group […]

Tory ‘turmoil’ stopped party tackling Islamophobia in its ranks Two years after a report into discrimination within the party concluded, its author says progress has been 'slow' due to multiple changes at the top.

July 24, 2023 Jennifer Scott

(Sky News) The “turmoil” at the top of the Tories has led to “slow” progress in tackling Islamophobia within the party, an independent reviewer has said. Boris Johnson launched an inquiry into discrimination within its ranks after the last election in 2019. […]

Suella Braverman says risk of terrorism ‘rising’ as review says Islamist terror is primary threat The Home Secretary Suella Braverman was speaking following [an] update to the government's counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Islamist and right-wing extremism were highlighted as the two main threats in the UK.

July 18, 2023 Tim Baker

(Sky News) The risk from terrorism is “rising,” Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said. The cabinet minister was speaking as the government published a review of its counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, which has been updated for the first time in five years. Ms […]

Rishi Sunak says small boats plan is ‘working’ — despite record number of crossings at weekend The prime minister spoke as his flagship Illegal Migration Bill heads back to the Commons after suffering a number of defeats in the House of Lords.

July 11, 2023 Alexandra Rogers

(Sky News) Rishi Sunak has insisted his plan to stop small boat crossings in the Channel is “working” — despite more than 1,000 people making the journey over the weekend. The prime minister said he has always acknowledged that crossings “will increase […]

Manchester Arena bombing inquiry: Chairman raises concerns about slow uptake of recommendations to monitor security services Chairman Sir John Saunders has suggested ways to track the progress of MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing including an unpaid check-up meeting by his inquiry team.

July 4, 2023 Duncan Gardham

(Sky News) There is no mechanism to make sure improvements have been made by MI5 after they made “mistakes” over the Manchester Arena bombing, the chairman of the inquiry has said. Sir John Saunders said there is no agreement on how to […]