Primark security guard sentenced to three-and-a-half years for ISIS propaganda posts

Luqmaan Ahmed, a 24-year-old security guard at Primark, was sentenced by Manchester Crown Court to three and a half years in prison for three offences of encouraging terrorism. The convictions stem from Instagram videos he posted in September 2022 and July 2023, which showed masked figures wielding a knife, ISIS flags, executions and other violent imagery, garnering 17 likes and over 100 follows. Ahmed claimed he wanted to attract and then repel ISIS sympathisers, a rationale the judge found unconvincing and noted he knew his actions were wrong.

In addition to the custodial term, he will be subject to a ten-year Serious Crime Prevention Order under the Terrorism Act. Prosecutor Alex Du Sautoy described the clips as encouraging violent actions, while Det Chief Supt Jonathan Chadwick said such material fuels fear and distrust in communities. The court also noted Ahmed's earlier conviction for encouraging terrorism related to pro-jihadist content posted when he was 16, underscoring a pattern of extremist online activity.