Summary
A Manchester man, who posted pro-Islamic State material on social media and encouraged users to join a terrorist group, has been jailed.
Luqmaan Ahmed (15/11/2001), of Heald Place, Rusholme, appeared at Manchester Crown Court earlier today, Monday 28 September 2026, and was sentenced for Encouragement of Terrorism contrary to Section 1 TACT 2006.
Ahmed was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, with a one-year extended licence period. On release he will be the subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order and part IV notification requirements for ten years.
In December 2022 Luqmaan Ahmed was sentenced to a 24-month Community Order having been convicted previously of encouraging terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist publications. He had originally been arrested in 2018 when aged 16 years old for encouraging others to join and fight for Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, a proscribed organisation affiliated to Al Qaida and for disseminating numerous pro-jihadist training videos via his Instagram and WhatsApp accounts.
However, following conviction, but whilst awaiting sentencing, Ahmed began to post pro-Islamic State material on Instagram to a private group of Followers. On Tuesday 10 October 2023, Ahmed, then aged 21, was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing Northwest supported by Greater Manchester Police, at his address in Rusholme for 3 counts of Section 1 Terrorism Act 2006 offences, relating to the encouragement of terrorism on social media accounts. Following a two-week trial at Manchester’s Crown Court, on Thursday 30 July 2026, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty on all counts.
Det Chief Supt Jonathan Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Northwest, said: “People posting this type of material can bring fear and distrust among our communities.
“Today’s sentencing reaffirms Counter Terrorism Policing’s commitment to making sure that those who pose a risk to our society will be pursued and prosecuted. Our dedicated officers and staff, through extensive investigation have once again ensured that Luqmaan Ahmed has been brought to justice and is now facing over three years in prison.
“We would encourage anyone with any concerns around people expressing extremist views, including online, to call the UK Anti-Terrorism Hotline in confidence on 0800 789 321, or alternatively, use the secure online form at gov.uk/ACT. If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and ACT. In an emergency, always dial 999”