Alleged ISIS member 'wore USB cufflink and trained terrorists in encryption'

A Cardiff man said to be a member of ISIS and who is alleged to have trained terrorists in the use of encryption will be put on trial in March.

Samata Ullah, 33, was charged earlier this month with six terrorism offences.

Today at the Old Bailey Mr Justice Holroyde remanded Ullah in custody until 17 November, according to the Mail Online, when an application may be made to move the trial back to Wales.

Police were said to have gathered 6TB of data after searching Ullah's devices, of which 2TB will be used as evidence against him. He was also said to have used encrypted messaging app Telegram to offer his services to the "Cyber Caliphate Army".

Among the charges Ullah faces is an allegation that he had a USB stick disguised as a cufflink, which had "an operating system loaded on to it for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism" contrary to section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

He is also accused of providing "instruction or training in the use of encryption programs" while knowing that people receiving it "intended to use the skills... in connection with the commission or preparation of acts of terrorism" or for helping other terrorists.

Another charge states he breached section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000 by "researching an encryption program, developing an encrypted version of his blog site and publishing the instructions around the use of programme on his blog site".

This could be understood to relate to Tor rather than HTTPS, as excitable internet idiots began speculating when the charges were originally made. The Register has made enquiries with the Metropolitan Police and will update this story if they give a substantive response.

Other charges brought against Ullah included membership of Islamic State, directing a terrorist organisation, possession of a PDF document about advances in missile guidance and control, and possession of a book about guided missiles.

The full trial is provisionally listed for 20 March. ®