Overview

Zakariya Ashiq is a British ISIS supporter who sought to prepare acts of terrorism in Syria.“Terror accused Zakariya Ashiq 'tortured by shadowy figures',” BBC News, May 21, 2015, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-32838683. A follower of Anjem Choudary—an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter—Ashiq was arrested on November 20, 2014 at Heathrow Airport as he was unable to gain entry into Syria. Ashiq is expected to be released from jail in 2022, pending review by the parole board.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.

Ashiq left the United Kingdom on November 6, 2014, where he made his way to Jordan after traveling through Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Bulgaria. Unable to cross the border from Jordan into Syria, Ashiq flew back to London, where he was arrested upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport on November 20.“Terror accused Zakariya Ashiq 'tortured by shadowy figures',” BBC News, May 21, 2015, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-32838683.

Following Ashiq’s arrest, investigators discovered WhatsApp messages in which Ashiq demonstrated extremist sympathies. Among the messages, Ashiq stated, “there is no life, there’s no life without jihad.” Ashiq’s web searches revealed similar sentiments, as he looked up phrases such as “IS beheading journalist” and “44 ways to support jihad” as well as speeches made by Choudary.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.

Ashiq’s trial began at the Old Bailey on May 21, 2015. During the trial, Ashiq claimed he tried to go to Syria because he was being “pestered” by MI5 and “tortured” by unidentified shadowy figures in the U.K. Despite these claims, the jury at the Old Bailey found Ashiq guilty of preparing acts of terrorism.“20-year-old jailed for six years over attempt to join Islamic State,” Guardian, May 27, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/27/zakariya-ashiq-jailed-walter-mitty-islamic-state-syria. On May 27, Ashiq was sentenced to six years in prison for making determined efforts to join ISIS in Syria.“20-year-old jailed for six years over attempt to join Islamic State,” Guardian, May 27, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/27/zakariya-ashiq-jailed-walter-mitty-islamic-state-syria.

On October 28, 2021, media sources reported that Ashiq, along with two other of Choudary’s followers—Parviz Khan and Jawad Akbar—were referred to the parole board and will 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.