A BRITISH financial analyst has been found guilty of multiple terrorism offences after his laptop led police to dangerous bomb-making plans.
Asad Bhatti, from Redhill in Surrey, south-east England, was arrested and charged in January 2021. A search was carried out at an address in the area which revealed a makeshift bomb-making facility.
Surrey Police said the 49-year-old man of South Asian origin was found guilty of two counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism.
At the Old Bailey court in London on Friday (12), he was also found guilty of three counts of making or possessing an explosive substance under suspicious circumstances.
Bhatti remains in custody and will be sentenced for the crimes at the same court on April 25.
“The case against Bhatti was strong, I am glad the jury found him guilty today,” said detective chief superintendent Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) in Surrey.
“There was clear evidence of his extreme Islamist ideology and the danger he posed. He clearly hated those whom he considers do not follow his version of Islam, and he made a range of derogatory comments towards those he considers to be unbelievers,” he said.
Bhatti was investigated after he had taken his laptop into a shop to be fixed and a member of staff found some concerning file titles, which he reported.
Some documents were discovered suggesting whoever was using the device had an interest in explosives and making explosive devices.
Following the discovery, Bhatti was arrested and a police search was carried out at his home in Redhill and at a storage container he rented.
In the storage unit, officers found chemicals, chemistry equipment, electronic circuitry and an improvised explosive device, which was dismantled by a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team.
This device was not deemed to be functional due to some of the materials used. At his property, items including a USB stick containing guides to make explosive devices were seized, the court was told.
Bhatti was also found to be in possession of manuals he compiled and wrote himself.
He had spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations on making explosives, shooting techniques and hand combat, along with manuals published by others on making explosives and combat.
A handbook that included the subject ‘Jihad and Martyrdom' was also found, the jury was told. (PTI)
UK financial analyst found guilty of terror offences
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.