Cyber Terrorist Denied Parole for Concealing IS Support on James Bond-Style Cufflink
A self-proclaimed cyber terrorist who hid his support for the so-called Islamic State (IS) on a James Bond-style cufflink has been refused parole. Samata Ullah, a 34-year-old resident of Cardiff, created a virtual hub for terrorists from the comfort of his bedroom. He offered a plethora of guidance on evading the authorities and staying one step ahead.
Upon his arrest in September 2016, Ullah was found in possession of USB cufflinks containing a Linux operating system and a trove of extremist material, including 15 copies of the IS propaganda magazine Dabiq. His modus operandi involved advising others to store incriminating information on USB sticks rather than computers to avoid detection.
In 2017, Ullah was sentenced to eight years in prison, along with an additional five years on extended license, after pleading guilty to five terror offenses. Parole was recently denied by a panel of the Parole Board during a hearing in September 2022.
The decision by the Parole Board to deny Ullah’s release was based solely on the potential risk he could pose to the public if released and whether that risk could be managed in the community. Panels closely scrutinize an array of evidence, including details of the original crime, signs of behavioral change, and the impact of the crime on victims.
Ullah will be eligible for another parole review in due course according to current legislation, with the date of the next review to be determined by the Ministry of Justice.
Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command SO15, described Ullah’s case as unprecedented, noting that he had single-handedly created a self-help library for terrorists around the world. The library contained instructional material on encryption, methods to avoid detection, missile systems training, and a vast amount of propaganda. Daesh, the alternative name for IS, utilized the material extensively for guidance and instruction.
Authorities became aware of Ullah’s activities through intelligence shared by the FBI, who had received information from Kenyan authorities following the arrest of another individual. Ullah, who had autism, maintained regular encrypted chats with this individual, vowing to utilize his skills for the IS cause.
Starting from December 2015, Ullah produced instructional videos demonstrating how to secure sensitive data and maintain anonymity online using the Tor program and PGP encryption. His voice was disguised in the videos, and he even wore gloves to conceal his skin tone.
Extensive investigations at Ullah’s Cardiff residence led to the seizure of 150 devices and the examination of eight terabytes of data, equivalent to 2.2 million copies of War and Peace. Police discovered that Ullah had taken control of dormant Twitter accounts and possessed numerous email addresses and phone numbers. He had also researched ZeroNet and developed a version of his blog website using the decentralized internet-like peer-to-peer network.
Ullah admitted to possessing books on missile guidance fundamentals and used an electronic PDF version of Advances In Missile Guidance, Control And Estimation for terrorist purposes.
Despite living alone, Ullah’s proximity to his family showed the potential for harm, with his mother and sister residing just around the corner from him. His employment at a pensions department was short-lived, as he left before completing training, following warnings about his performance.
The Crown challenged the defense’s assertion that Ullah’s activities were part of an elaborate fantasy, highlighting that he represented a new and dangerous type of terrorist, specifically a cyber terrorist.
The denial of parole to Ullah underscores the commitment to protect the public from individuals who pose a significant risk, ensuring public safety remains the paramount priority.
In conclusion, Samata Ullah’s parole has been refused due to the potential risk he presents to the public should he be released from prison. His case highlights the emergence of a new breed of terrorists who exploit the digital realm to spread extremist ideologies, making it imperative for law enforcement agencies to stay ahead in their efforts to counter such threats.
