UK: Madrasa teacher tried to recruit "army" of child-terrorists, convicted
An unqualified teacher in Britain used his position at an after-school madrasa to recruit an "army" of child terrorists to launch attacks. According to police, he showed videos of "extreme terrorist violence" to the children and made them "role-play" terrorists stabbing police officers. 25-year-old Umar Ahmed Haque was convicted yesterday. His accomplices, 29-year-old Abuthaher Mamun and 27-year-old Muhammad Abid, were also convicted.
Haque had "long-term" plans of building army, launching attacks
Haque was an administrator at the madrasa "Lantern of Knowledge" in east London. He was inspired by "attacks in Europe and Westminster" and wanted to orchestrate large-scale attacks. Police recovered notes from his home proving his plan "a long-term one." "He intended to execute his plan years later, by which time he anticipated he would have trained and acquired an army of soldiers."
Children were shown videos of executions, 'role-played' terrorists stabbing cops
The children were "paralyzed" with fear of Haque, who told them he had connections to terrorists and would harm them if they told anyone about the goings-on. They told police they were shown "horrific videos of extreme terrorist violence including executions." Hauque also made them "role-play terrorists and police officers, with the children acting as terrorists being made to stab the 'cops' to death."
Haque convicted for plotting terrorist attacks and other charges
Haque attempted to radicalize at least 16 children at Lantern of Knowledge. Earlier, while working at the Ripple Road Mosque, he had exposed 55 children to similar tactics. He has now been convicted for various charges, and has admitted to disseminating terrorist documents. Meanwhile, watchdog Ofsted was questioned on how the school was rated "outstanding" after an inspection while Haque was working there.
