Bristol man appears in court charged over terror offence
Mohammed Mohamoud, 21, was charged yesterday with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006
Last updated 27th Jan 2026
A suspected Islamic State extremist from the UK is accused of travelling to a terrorist stronghold in Somalia with the hope of becoming a "martyr on the battlefield", a court has heard.
Mohammed Mohamoud, 21, who lives in Bristol, allegedly plotted terrorist acts and travelled to the east African nation for a five-week stay between January 29 and March 4 last year.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Mohamoud is accused of leaving the UK to join up with extremists from so-called Islamic State.
"His intention was to become a martyr and join the mujahideen, his ambition is to be a martyr on the battlefield," said prosecutor Mark Luckett.
It is alleged Mohamoud "travelled successfully to Somalia" and went to a "stronghold occupied by the terrorist organisation".
Mohamoud appeared in the dock on Tuesday for a first court hearing, shortly after police announced he had been charged with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Mr Luckett successfully applied to Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram for a seven-day adjournment.
He explained that the consent of the Attorney General is needed when handling a terrorism charge involving alleged activities in another country.
Mohamoud, who lives with his mother and brother in Bristol, was remanded back into custody by the judge until a further hearing on February 3.
The terror charge was announced on Tuesday morning in a statement from Counter Terrorism Policing South East.
It said: "Mohammed Mohamoud, of Francombe Grove, Bristol, was charged yesterday (26/1) with preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
"Mohamoud, aged 21, was arrested in the Horfield area of Bristol on Tuesday (20/1). He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (27/1)."
Mohamoud, wearing a black hoodie and grey tracksuit bottoms, spoke to confirm his identity in the dock, and stood with his arms folded during the brief court appearance.