Jihadist who created online 'library for terrorists' refused parole

A CYBER-TERRORIST jailed after creating a 'one-stop' online "library for terrorists" has been refused parole.

Samata Ullah operated from his bedroom in Cardiff and hid extremist material on a computer memory stick disguised as cufflinks.

The IT expert, 34 at the time, offered a range of guidance on how to stay one step ahead of the police and security services.

In 2017, he was sentenced to eight years in jail with a further five years on extended licence, after he admitted at the Old Bailey to five terror offences, including membership of the Daesh group, training and preparation of terrorist acts.

Ullah became eligible for his first parole hearing last year but a panel of the Parole Board told him in September 2022 that his appeal for release on licence had been rejected.

The board’s spokesperson said, “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Samata Ullah following an oral hearing”.

The board’s decisions were solely focused on the risks a prisoner could represent to the public if released and “whether that risk is manageable in the community”, they said.

“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”

After Ullah’s sentencing in 2017, counter-terrorism command unit head Dean Haydon said the jihadist had set up a self-help library for terrorists around the world.

"There was guidance on encryption, ways to avoid detection from police and security services, expert tuition around missile systems and a vast amount of propaganda,” he said at the time

"He has created a one-stop shop for terrorists”, Haydon said, adding “it is for the first time we have seen anything on this scale".