Tower Hamlets man charged over terrorist magazine

The cover of Inspire, issue 6.

A 26-year-old Tower Hamlets man has been charged with four counts of possessing documents likely to be useful in committing terrorist acts.

Afsor Ali of Bethnal Green appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 6. The court heard that officers found copies of Inspire, an English-language magazine said to be published by al-Qaeda, in his possession last year.

Ali was arrested on November 29, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command unit in north London. He was subsequently released on conditional bail.

The police said that Inspire encourages people to carry out attacks and gives practical advice on how to carry out acts of terrorism. Possession of this magazine is a terrorist offence under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Osborne, a senior coordinator of counter terrorism efforts nationally, said: “The public should be in no doubt that Inspire is a terrorist publication with the ultimate aim of encouraging attacks.

“Anyone caught in possession of this or any other terrorist material can expect to be brought before the court.”

Ali’s case was adjourned until January 17.

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