A Pakistan born man who holds British citizenship who fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and a Muslim convert, are facing jail after being convicted of attempting to recruit undercover police to undertake a jihad against British soldiers.
Munir Farooqi, 54, who was born in Pakistan and who came to Britain at 5 years old, and white Muslim convert Matthew Newton, 29, used religious stalls in Longsight and Manchester city centre to distribute material aimed at converting people to Islam, and 'groomed' likely candidates to take part in jihad against coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Undercover officers were taken to Farooqi's home in Victoria Terrace, Longsight, and there Farooqi told them - unaware that he was being recorded - that he had fought with the Taliban and would do so again.
"If we died, we win...you have Allah on your side, how can we lose?" he said.
Farooqi was found guilty on three counts of soliciting to murder, of preparing for acts of terrorism, and one count of dissemination of terrorist publications after a four month trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Newton, who is said to have converted to Islam after overcoming a drug addiction, was convicted of preparing acts for terrorism and two counts of dissemination of terrorist publications.
Farooqi's son, Harris Farooqi, was acquitted on a single charge of engaging in conduct for the preparation of terrorism.
A verdict is yet to be reached on another man, Israr Malik, who stands accused of two counts of soliciting to murder and of preparing for acts of terrorism.
A Pakistan born man who holds British citizenship who fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and a Muslim convert, are facing jail after being convicted of attempting to recruit undercover police to undertake a jihad against British soldiers.
