Repeat Offender Jailed for Daesh Instagram Post on 7/7 Anniversary
Shafi Saleem, a 35-year-old man from East London with previous terrorism-related convictions, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for sharing extremist content online. Saleem was found guilty of disseminating a terrorist publication after reposting Daesh propaganda footage of suicide bombings on his private social media feed on the anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings.
Sentencing and Charges
On Wednesday, July 31, at the Old Bailey, Judge Angela Rafferty KC sentenced Saleem to nine years’ imprisonment plus a further year on an extended license. The judge highlighted the “highly suspicious” timing of the post, noting that it coincided with the anniversary of the 2005 London attacks that killed 52 people and injured more than 770. Judge Rafferty emphasized that Saleem’s actions were deliberate and showed he continued to harbour an extreme mindset.
Previous Convictions
Saleem has a history of promoting extremist content online. He was previously jailed for two years in February 2018 for encouraging terrorism by posting Daesh images and messages on social media. Following his release in February 2019, he was subject to a Notification Order. In December 2020, Saleem was jailed for ten months for breaching this order.
Latest Offence
The latest offence was uncovered with the help of an undercover operative who made online contact with Saleem in May 2022. Saleem was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Valentine’s Day after arriving from Pakistan. In his police interview, he claimed that the video he reposted was widely available online and that he had only watched the start of it, not the bombing section. However, the prosecution disputed this claim.
Additional Charges
Saleem was also found guilty of breaching a notification requirement under the Counter Terrorism Act 2008 by attempting to hide a phone from his supervising officer. He used a secret SIM card to open a Facebook account where he posted extremist comments. Additionally, he admitted using threatening words to cause alarm to an arresting officer, directing homophobic abuse at the officer, which Judge Rafferty described as “vitriolic and full of hate.”
Police Statement
Detective Chief Superintendent Hayley Sewart of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command emphasised the dangers of extremist content online, stating: “Extremist content online can cause serious harm in communities, particularly to young and other vulnerable people, and it is often intended to radicalize and recruit people to terrorist causes. The fact that this is the second time Saleem has been found to breach these conditions shows how strictly police enforce them.”
Impact and Future Precautions
The court heard that Saleem’s behaviour was influenced by mild Autism Spectrum Disorder, which compounded low self-esteem and withdrawal. In mitigation, Shannon Revel, representing Saleem, highlighted the need for him to stay offline and focus on productive activities to mitigate future offending.
During his time on remand, Saleem had been moved from Wandsworth jail to Belmarsh under severe restrictions following an unrelated inmate’s escape.
The police continue to urge the public to report any extremist content online to prevent further radicalization and protect communities.
Conclusion
Saleem’s sentencing underscores the serious consequences of promoting extremist content and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb the spread of terrorism-related material online.
