Man went to Somalia 'in attempt to join Isis'

A court has been informed that a man, Mohamed Mohamoud, 22, allegedly utilized an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot in an unsuccessful attempt to establish contact with the Islamic State group in Somalia, with the aim of becoming a martyr. Mohamoud, who was residing in Bristol at the time of his arrest, is currently on trial at Winchester Crown Court, facing charges of preparing acts of terrorism between October 1, 2024, and March 5, 2025.

Prosecutor Naomi Parsons informed the jury on Tuesday that Mohamoud, a Somali national, arrived in the UK in 2020 to join his mother and brother in Bristol. The court heard that after arriving in Somalia in 2025, Mohamoud encountered difficulties in finding a "guide" to join the terrorist group. Consequently, he resorted to using an AI bot to make contact, expressing his desire to "join the Mujahideen." Mohamoud, assisted by a Somali interpreter in the dock, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Parsons told the jury, "At some stage whilst living in the UK, he became radicalised. He embraced the ideology of Islamic State. And with this came a strong desire return to Somalia and join Isis, to join the Mujahideen - which literally means one who struggles or a fighter - who operate in the mountainous areas near a city called Bosaso, in the north of the Puntland region. Indeed, not only was it a strong desire, but Mohamoud viewed it as his duty."

Mohamoud, of Francombe Grove in Bristol, originates from the Puntland area of north Somalia. Parsons stated that the defendant attempted to find a contact to assist him in joining the terrorist group while in the UK but was unsuccessful. He then booked a return flight to Somalia, departing on January 30, 2025. However, despite possessing a return ticket for March 3, Parsons asserted that Mohamoud had no intention of returning.

Parsons explained, "As messages show, Mohamoud had no intention of returning to the UK. Indeed, he aspired not simply to join Isis, but he aspired to martyrdom." She added, "It seems the return ticket was simply to put his family members off the scent. His family were suspicious of him, his mother told him she thought he had been 'brainwashed by Al-Shabaab', another terrorist organisation operating in Somalia."

Upon Mohamoud's arrival in Somalia, the Puntland government was engaged in counter-terrorism operations. Parsons revealed that the defendant purchased supplies for his mission, including hiking boots and a solar-powered battery pack. However, he struggled to find a "guide" to joining Isis and messaged the AI bot for assistance.

She informed the jury that he was put in contact with two recruiters, but one, named Abu Ali, questioned him: "Did you realise we're actually in the middle of a war? You realise how dire things have got? Air strikes keep pounding and there's fierce combat happening as we speak. You're following all this?"

Parsons stated that Mohamoud responded: "Yeah brother, I am fully aware. I'm longing for martyrdom. Honestly, there's no better moment than right now." In response, Mohamoud was informed that joining Isis would be challenging due to the ongoing war, Parsons said, adding that he then decided to fly back to the UK.

She concluded that he continued to maintain contact with the Isis recruiters, telling them: "Anytime, you say the word - I will return." The trial is ongoing.