'Fanatic' Briton Who Craved IS Martyrdom Jailed
In messages to two friends who had already gone to Syria, Zakariya Ashiq said "there is no life without Jihad," a court hears.
Wednesday 27 May 2015 14:14, UK
A young British Muslim who had ambitions of becoming a martyr has been jailed following an unsuccessful attempt to join Islamic State in Syria.
Zakariya Ashiq began his journey to the Middle East on 6 November 2014, taking a bus from Victoria Coach Station in London.
The Old Bailey heard how the 20-year-old travelled through Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Bulgaria before arriving in Jordan, where he was turned away at the Syrian border.
He was arrested on 20 November after flying back to Heathrow.
Although Ashiq had admitted trying to cross into Syria, he claimed he had no choice but to leave the UK because he was being "pestered" by MI5, and had been "waterboarded" on several occasions by men in balaclavas who bundled him into a white van.
During the trial, his version of events was described as a "fantastical tale" by his own lawyer.
Judge Charles Wide QC rejected the argument that Ashiq, from Coventry, was naïve in his intent to fight as an Islamic State militant - and during sentencing, said "it would not be right to see (Ashiq) as some sort of victim".
Describing the defendant as a "fanatic", the judge continued: "He cannot have disapproved. He went to fight for them. He is extremely skilful at downplaying his true commitment."
After the jury took less than two hours to find Ashiq guilty on two counts of preparing acts of terrorism, Judge Wide jailed him for six years - and handed him an additional four years on extended licence.
Explaining the sentence, the judge added: "You are very, very determined and your attitudes are very deeply ingrained, so I am satisfied a further period of licence is required for the purpose of protecting the public from serious harm by you."
The court heard how Ashiq was hostile towards the UK, and the jury was shown WhatsApp conversations where he tried to convince two of his friends to help him cross the Syrian border.
He told Ali Kalantar and Mohammed Ismail, who had already entered the war-torn country: "There is no life, there's no life without Jihad."
According to West Midlands Police, Kalantar and Ismail may have since been killed in the fighting.