The UK's youngest terrorist, who at 14 was convicted of plotting to kill Australian police officers on Anzac Day, has been given lifelong anonymity after a high-court ruling.
Judges said the teenager, now 18 and identified only as RXG, would likely be under threat of “serious harm” if named.
Originally from Blackburn in northern England, he was sentenced to life in prison for instructing an Australian to launch the attacks on a 2015 Anzac Day celebration. In October 2015, he admitted to inciting terrorism overseas.
A ban on publicly naming him had been set to expire on his 18th birthday but he was given lifelong anonymity on Monday.
“We are satisfied that RXG’s case is an exceptional one. We acknowledge that any prohibition on the identification of a defendant in a criminal proceedings is a serious matter and represents a significant interference with the open justice principle,” said Dame Victoria Sharp in her ruling.
“Nevertheless, on the evidence before us, in our judgment it is both necessary and proportionate.”
The court heard from experts who said identifying the teenager would present additional challenges in his rehabilitation.
“The position is exacerbated by his autism, which manifests itself in his obsessive behaviour,” said Dame Victoria.
“This, combined with his need for recognition and status, makes him very vulnerable to exploitation and potential re-radicalisation.”
His lawyers argued last November that identifying the boy risked re-radicalising him and putting him at risk of attacks. There were also concerns for his family's welfare.
He was recruited online by Australian ISIS member Neil Prakesh, also known as Abu Khaled Al Cambodi.
In 2015, the teenager sent thousands of messages to 18-year-old Sevdet Besim as they plotted to murder police officers at the annual commemoration of Australians and New Zealanders killed in conflict.
It is relatively rare for UK courts to grant lifetime anonymity orders.
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The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
