Izzadeen jailed for terror offences

He and fellow British-born Muslim convert Simon Keeler were both handed the same jail term after they were found guilty of fundraising for, and inciting, terrorism.

The charges relate to a series of rabble-rousing speeches made at a central London mosque by the two men accompanied by four other co-accused.

Abdul Saleem, who was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of inciting terrorism, was jailed for three years, nine months. Ibrahim Hassan was handed a sentence of two years, nine months after being found guilty of the same charge.

Abdul Mahid, who was found guilty of fundraising for terrorists, was jailed for two years. He will serve this sentence once he has completed his current jail term for soliciting murder during protests against the publication of cartoons in a Danish newspaper depicting the prophet Mohammed.

Shah Jalal Hussain, who absconded while the jury was deliberating but handed himself in at court, was sentenced to two years for his part in the fundraising charge, and three months to be served consecutively for breaking his bail conditions.

Earlier the court was told the men gathered at Regent's Park mosque in London on the evening of November 9, 2004.

It was a special holy night in the Muslim calendar but also coincided with the start of a fierce battle by American soldiers for the city of Fallujah in Iraq.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Laidlaw said: "What occurred was that these men delivered or contributed to a series of speeches and appeals for money, and in the case of five of the defendants, for volunteers to join in the fight against coalition troops.

"The speeches became progressively more emotive and inflammatory and insulting in their tone."