Walsall terror trial: Dry-cleaner fled to fight for Islamic State after 'devastation' of son's death
A dry-cleaner who became an ISIS fighter fled to Syria with his wife after being 'completely destroyed' by the death of his father and new-born son, a terrorism trial heard.
Nargis Ali, the sister of Musadikur Rohaman, said he was 'mentally and emotionally devastated' in the months leading up to him leaving Walsall for the so-called Islamic State with his wife Zohura Siddeka in December 2014, the Old Bailey in London was told.
The 42-year-old said her brother became 'quieter, more introvert, and more religious' but showed no signs of radicalisation following the death of his son Dawud after just 11 days in October 2014.
Their father, Mokodus Miah, a well-known businessman who ran All Season launderette and dry-cleaners in Caldmore, died unexpectedly a year earlier, the court heard.
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Giving evidence as a prosecution witness, Mrs Ali said: "He was completely destroyed. He was devastated after our dad passed away and after his son passed away. I just don't know how he was coping."
Mrs Ali, who is referred to as Mez by her family, told the court how Musadikur and Siddeka failed to return home after a holiday to Turkey.
She said at first family members thought they had extended their stay in Istanbul but grew to fear the pair were in Syria.
Eventually Musadikur responded to a family chat group on the mobile messaging app WhatsApp.
On January 30 last year he wrote: "Unlikely you will see me again. Will see you in janaa."
Janaa is the Islamic term for paradise or afterlife.
In an exchange on February 20 last year, Mrs Ali wrote: "Musadiq, please please don't do anything stupid and go fighting or anything."
Musadikur replied: "Lol Mez. At least use code words."
Mrs Ali told the court she maintained contact because she wanted him to come home.
"It was an irrational decision he made (going to Syria). He has always been very logical."
She told the court her brother changed his mind about life in the Islamic State stronghold in Raqqa and wanted to return to Walsall after Ramadan last year.
She said: "He said he wanted to come back and each time he tried to he was put in prison. He was put in prison three times and he says they (ISIS) called him a traitor and forced him to fight."
Mrs Ali was giving evidence in the trial of two of her other brothers, Mohammed Iqbal Hussain, 27, and Mohamed Suyaubur Rohaman, 32, both of Castle Road, Walsall Wood, who are accused of sending £10,000 to Musadikur to fund terrorism.
Also accused of terrorism funding charges are accountants and Musadikur's friends Mohammed Atiqur Rahman Khan, 27, of Buckle Close, Caldmore, and Maruf Uddin, 26, of Earl Street, Caldmore.
All four men deny the charges.
The trial continues.
