Midland trio in court accused of trying to leave UK to join Islamic State
Three men from Birmingham accused of attempting to smuggle themselves out of the UK in a lorry to join the Islamic State group have appeared in court.
Gabriel Rasmus, aged 28, of Chain Walk Lozells, Anas Abdalla, aged 26, of Fox Hollies Road, Acocks Green and Mahamuud Diini, aged 25, of Coventry Road, Small Heath indicated they would plead not guilty at Westminster Magistrates this morning.
They were all remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on May 14.
The trio were arrested in Dover by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit on Friday 3 April.
Prosecutor Adam Harbison said they were attempting to travel to Syria to engage in terrorism.
Two other men arrested at the same time are no longer suspected of terrorism offences and were handed to immigration authorities. One was the driver of the lorry. He has since been charged with an offence under the Immigration Act. The other was a failed asylum seeker who is awaiting deportation.
A woman also detained was told she faces no further action.
Police continue to urge anyone concerned that a friend or family member may be considering travelling to Syria to please contact us on 101.We work with a range of agencies that support and safeguard those vulnerable to radicalisation but early intervention is vital.
