Overview

Jawad Akbar is a British citizen who is an al-Qaeda sympathizer. A follower of Anjem Choudary—an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter—Akbar plotted to bomb a shopping center in Kent and a club in London in 2004.“More than 90 jailed terrorists could be freed early from British prisons,” Arab News, December 30, 2021, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1995641/world.

Akbar was born in Pakistan before his family relocated to Italy and then finally Crawley, West Sussex, when Akbar was eight years old.“Profile: Jawad Akbar,” BBC News, April 30, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6149788.stm. Akbar later attended Brunel University in northwest London, where he studied mathematics, technology, and design. While in university, Akbar began working at Gatwick Airport where he had clearance for working airside.“Profile: Jawad Akbar,” BBC News, April 30, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6149788.stm.

During Akbar’s second year of university, he became radicalized and joined a radical Islamist political group.“THE QUEEN on the application of JAWAD AKBAR and THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE,” Royal Courts of Justice, June 15, 2021, https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AKBAR-v-THE-SECRETARY-OF-STATE-FOR-JUSTICE-JUDGMENT.pdf; “ISLAMIC RADICALIZATION IN THE UK: INDEX OF RADICALIZATION,” International Institute for Counter Terrorism, Summer 2012, https://www.ict.org.il/UserFiles/Islamic%20Radicalization%20in%20UK.pdf. Akbar reportedly “nursed a sense of resentment and hatred towards the society in which he lived,” and developed an open hatred towards non-Muslims. In 2003, Akbar met Omar Khyam—a member of Choudary’s al-Muhajiroun network—through his cousin, Nabeel Hussain.“ISLAMIC RADICALIZATION IN THE UK: INDEX OF RADICALIZATION,” International Institute for Counter Terrorism, Summer 2012, https://www.ict.org.il/UserFiles/Islamic%20Radicalization%20in%20UK.pdf.

Sometime in June or July 2003, Akbar attended a training camp in Malakand region, northwest Pakistan. The camp allegedly discussed potential targets and experimented with making bombs.“CHRONOLOGY-The British fertilizer bomb plot,” Reuters, April 30, 2007, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-trial-chronology/chronology-the-british-fertilizer-bomb-plot-idUSL2559097320070430; “Anatomy of a bomb plot,” Guardian, April 30, 2007, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/apr/30/terrorism.world3. While at the camp, Akbar, along with others, agreed to carry out an attack in the United Kingdom upon their return.“Profile: Jawad Akbar,” BBC News, April 30, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6149788.stm.

As Akbar and his co-conspirators developed their plan, MI5 began to monitor the group. After bugging Akbar’s Uxbridge apartment, MI5 became aware that Akbar proposed to Khyam that they attack a “big nightclub in central London.”“Profile: Jawad Akbar,” BBC News, April 30, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6149788.stm.

On March 30, 2004, Akbar and four others were arrested and charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.“THE QUEEN on the application of JAWAD AKBAR and THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE,” Royal Courts of Justice, June 15, 2021, https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AKBAR-v-THE-SECRETARY-OF-STATE-FOR-JUSTICE-JUDGMENT.pdf. Upon investigation of Akbar’s belongings, it was discovered that Akbar held information on his laptop incriminating him in the terror plot. The information included bomb-making recipes from a manual found on the Internet, as well as CDs detailing the British utilities network.“Profile: Jawad Akbar,” BBC News, April 30, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6149788.stm.

Akbar first appeared in court on April 10, 2004, where he was charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.”Jim Boulden, “UK terrorist suspects in court,” CNN, April 10, 2004, http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/04/10/uk.suspects.remanded/index.html. On April 30, 2007, Akbar was sentenced to a minimum of 17 and a half years in prison.“THE QUEEN on the application of JAWAD AKBAR and THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE,” Royal Courts of Justice, June 15, 2021, https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AKBAR-v-THE-SECRETARY-OF-STATE-FOR-JUSTICE-JUDGMENT.pdf.

On October 28, 2021, media sources reported that Akbar, along with two other of Choudary’s followers, applied for release. If Akbar’s application for release is approved by the parole board, he would potentially be released in 2022.Nick Craven, “EXCLUSIVE Three Islamist terrorists who plotted to behead a British soldier, bomb a shopping centre and join ISIS after being inspired by hate preacher Anjem Choudary could walk free after being referred for parole,” Daily Mail, October 28, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10139985/Three-Islamist-terrorists-plotted-behead-soldier-bomb-shopping-centre-walk-free.html.