Hull IS terror suspect '˜plotted attacks and kidnaps across Europe'

Bakr Hamad, from Hull, Zana Rahim and Awat Hamasalih, who were arrested in November as part of co-ordinated raids across Europe, are accused of holding senior positions in Rawti Shax and planning to carry out a series of strikes in the West.

It is claimed that the men, who are wanted in Italy to face allegations, are part of the UK cell of the group.

Hamad, 39, who is said to have been very close to the leader and founder of the group, has been accused of having disseminated terrorist propaganda and encouraged others to commit murder in the name of jihad.

Westminster Magistrates’ court heard that it is necessary for the Italian prosecuting authorities to demonstrate that the offences the men are alleged to have committed in Italy, would be illegal in England too.

Julian Knowles QC, for the Italian prosecuting authorities, said: “This case concerns an organisation called Rawti Shax. It is alleged to be an affiliate of so-called Isis, sharing ideals with groups such as al Qaida and al-Nusra, conducting terrorist activity aimed at western democracies.

“The Italian prosecution are investigating a pan-European conspiracy to commit terrorist activity in various places, including Europe and the Middle East.

“It is alleged that a central part of the conspiracy was centred in Italy with an Italian cell based in Italy.

“This Rawti Shax organisation, being a cellular organisation, it is alleged that there were cells in different European countries, who stayed in communication in various ways, including by telephone and by the internet.

“And it is alleged that these three defendants were involved in the organisation at a high level.

“That they directed its activities, that they encouraged others to commit acts of terrorism, that they raised funds for terrorist purposes, that they had possession of funds for terrorist purposes, and that at least two of them were involved in plots to take, or kidnap, diplomatic personnel - including a British ambassador - as well as arranging offences.”

The court heard that the Sunni-Kurdish group’s primary objective was to overthrow the government of Kurdistan and establish a caliphate alongside Islamic State (IS) territory in Syria.

But when its leader, Mullah Krekar, was arrested and jailed in Norway in 2012, it prompted the group to draw up plans to kidnap and hold dignitaries, including the British ambassador, to barter for his release.

The Kurdish defendants - Hamad, Rahim, 33, from Derby, and Hamasalih, 33, from Birmingham - are in custody and are fighting extradition to Italy.

At a previous hearing, the men’s lawyers explained they would be challenging the extradition on grounds of “refoulment”, the illegal returning of refugees. They may also invoke Article Two (right to life) and Article Three (prohibition of torture) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court heard that Rawti Shax has both a public and secret face and that its members communicated online through a “virtual headquarters” called KurduIslam.

Hamasalih is said to have been a “lead member” of Rawti Shax since 2009, taking responsibility for financial and administrative matters after the arrest of Krekar.