Irish father jailed for fundraising for Isil

An Irish father of one was jailed on fundraising for the Islamic State terrorist organization after being arrested by Gardaí following a clas sic "sting" Operation by a British newspaper that targeted a figure of Isil known as "The Supermarket Jihadi".

Hbadan Bal (26) was jailed for two and a half years at the Waterford Circuit Court after pleading guilty to two charges of providing and attempting Isil funding.

Judge Eugene O 'Kelly imposed sentenced to four and a half years of imprisonment for Bal but suspended the last two years

"A few hundred euros in the hands of. a ruthless and dedicated terrorist could be used for murderous purposes, "he said.

Interpol and the antiterrorist unit of the London Metropolitan Police supported the Garda investigation of two years

Bal had attempted to travel to Syria to fight for the Isil Caliphate in 2015, but was sent home by Turkish authorities

Pettit told Judge O & # 39; Kelly that Bal was arrested after an undercover operation by Omar Wahid, an investigative journalist British.

The & # 39; sting & # 39; was focused on a senior official of Isil in the UK known as' Omar Hussain & # 39; Jihadi Supermarket & # 39;

The reporter made contact with Omar in 2015 via Kik, an encrypted email service, and posed as a Isil sympathizer. Omar said the funding was vitally needed by Isil.

He was put in touch with an agent of Isil called "Abu Issa Amriki". in Syria and 'Abdul Britani & # 39; who was Bal in Ireland.

Gardaí stopped Bal, formerly of O. Connell Street, Waterford, in December 2015 and April 2017.

Bal had sent 400 € to Bosnia to be sent to Isil.

His phone contained a picture of him in an army-type trellis and holding a fake gun.

The phone also contained propaganda material on suicide bombings and Isil executions.

Judge O & # 39; Kelly learned that Bal felt "cowardly" and had "pathological guilt" for not doing more to help the Muslims who were suffering in Syria. brutal civil war.

Bal's sister-in-law and brother-in-law, both from the United Kingdom, went to Syria.

His brother-in-law was later killed fighting here.

Irish Independent