A British man has been charged in connection with his alleged involvement in a Somalia-based Islamist terrorist organisation.
Jermaine Grant, 43, of no fixed abode, is accused of directing the activities of Al-Shabaab between December 31st, 2007, and January 1st, 2010.
Grant also faces three counts of attending an Al-Shabaab commando training camp in Kismayu, Somalia—contrary to Section 8 of the Terrorism Act 2006. In addition, he has been charged with two counts of possession of an article, namely an AK-47 assault rifle, for terrorist purposes under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The charges follow an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where the case will proceed. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter terrorism division, stated that prosecutors determined there is sufficient evidence and that pursuing the case is in the public interest. He added that the charges relate to Grant’s alleged involvement with Al-Shabaab during 2008 and 2009.
Acting Commander Kris Wright described the charges as serious, highlighting that they follow a long-running investigation and demonstrate that authorities will pursue suspected terrorist activity regardless of when or where it allegedly occurred.
This is not the first time individuals linked to Somali extremist groups have had ties to the UK. Abdul Qadir Mumin, leader of the Islamic State in Somalia, previously lived in the UK between 2003 and 2010, where he gained citizenship and delivered extremist sermons in London mosques.
He later fled to Somalia and reportedly defected from Al-Shabaab to Islamic State in 2015.
