The Blackburn Resistance: jihadists or jokers?

Helen Grady BBC Radio 5 live, Donal MacIntyre Show

Mohammad Ali Ahmad and Ilyas Iqbal: Blackburn Resistance was 'a joke'

"We were the A-Team generation. We grew up watching The A-Team - and Rambo of course."

As a little boy growing up in Blackburn, Ilyas Iqbal dreamed of becoming Mr T.

But now, at the age of 23, he says his passion for action films has led to his conviction for terror offences.

In March this year, Ilyas was prosecuted along with his brother, Abbas Iqbal, and his best friend, Mohammad Ali Ahmad.

The three were accused of forming a terror cell known as The Blackburn Resistance.

If you watched that film Four Lions - that was us. Except that we weren't doing any of the real-life stuff Mohammad Ali Ahmad

But they say they were guilty of nothing more than having a laugh, comparing themselves with characters in Chris Morris' film, Four Lions.

"All we were doing is messing around," Ilyas Iqbal told BBC Radio 5 Live's Donal MacIntyre programme.

Mr Ahmad, a 26-year-old Muslim convert who changed his name from Paul Andrew Cryer in 2004, added: "If you watched that film Four Lions - that was us.

"Except that we weren't doing any of the real-life stuff - we were doing strictly the playing around stuff. Our definition of comedy is being blooper soldiers."

Terror video

A key piece of evidence in the Blackburn Resistance case was a home-made film described in court as "al-Qaeda propaganda destined to be distributed abroad".

The film featured Ilyas Iqbal and Mohammad Ali Ahmad crawling through a park in camouflage gear. It was introduced by a voice saying: "They are fighting against oppression, they are The Blackburn Resistance."

In the background a voice can be heard chanting: "I am the armour for those who believe in the unity of Allah. I am the fire against the aggressor."

The prosecutor in the case said the three men were "intoxicated by the evil of terrorism" as they prepared to join or carry out violent jihad.

He said the film was among material which Abbas Iqbal and an associate had intended to use to radicalise others.

All three men claimed that the film was a homage to their favourite action heroes.

During the court case, jurors were shown clips from the defendants' favourite films - including Black Hawk Down, which features Somali fighters defeating American forces.

Abbas Iqbal was jailed for a total of two years at Manchester Crown Court for committing acts of terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications.

The 24-year-old had stored weapons at the family home in Blackburn.

Prison sentence

Ilyas Iqbal was jailed for 18 months for possessing a document likely to be useful to a terrorist.

Police found documents at Ilyas Iqbal's home which detailed weaknesses in the US military. They also found videos on his computer showing the beheading and an execution of soldiers and prisoners.

With regard to the video, Ilyas Iqbal says "we watched it, we didn't do it. Kids are watching these videos. You know why? It's not because they're terrorists. It's because they're curious".

LISTEN TO THE FULL REPORT Subscribe to the podcast Email the programme donal@bbc.co.uk Follow the Donal MacIntyre Programme on Facebook

Mr Ahmad was cleared of preparing for an act of terrorism and the trial Judge Andrew Gilbart QC said it was shocking he had spent 387 days in custody "for doing absolutely nothing".

Mr Ahmad, who spent part of his time on remand at Belmarsh high-security prison, insists that he and his friends were simply living out their boyhood fantasies.

"We wanted to make a video a bit like a Muslim A-Team," he said. "The Blackburn Resistance was nothing more than a title for that film.

"All this has done has given me a strong hatred for the so-called justice system. I have been a victim to this so-called justice system."

Police investigation

Det Ch Supt Tony Porter, of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "We presented the evidence to the court and it was up to the jury to decide whether there is sufficient evidence for a conviction."

Shuiab Khan, editor of Asian Image, a newspaper and website based in Blackburn, had some sympathy with the police.

He said: "When I saw their video, I thought straight away it was a joke. But it's very hard for the police to know for sure without investigating.

"In the present climate, to make a video like this is irresponsible.

Air rifles, knives, a crossbow and sword were found at the family home

"Whatever their reason for making the video, most people in Blackburn would say they were asking for trouble.

"If they had done it in 1998, nothing would have happened but to do it in the current climate was irresponsible."

Alyas Karmani, an imam and psychologist who works with Muslims convicted under the Terrorism Act, says that although groups like the Blackburn Resistance seem comical, they do pose problems for the authorities.

He said: "The majority of the young men I work with are similarly naïve - with a distorted view of the world, which feeds into delusions of grandeur. That can be a very dangerous mix because these people have the potential to be manipulated by charismatic individuals."

Although Mr Ahmad attended the premier of Four Lions, Ilyas Iqbal has not seen the film. Despite the fact that he makes constant references to Hollywood movies, he believes that cinema is forbidden in Islam.

He intends to appeal against his conviction and says his actions were misinterpreted.

"It was meant to be a joke and we had a good laugh about it - until we got to court and then it wasn't funny any more."

Listen to the full report on the Donal MacIntyre programme on BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday, 9 May at 19.30BST. Alternatively download the free podcast. Contact the programme: donal@bbc.co.uk

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version