A 27-year-old Pakistani-origin British jihadi, who faked his own death to return to the UK after training with militants linked to Islamic State in Syria, was today jailed for 12 years on terrorism charges.
Imran Khawaja, who has close ties to IS 'executioner' Jihadi John, had appeared in videos posted online for Islamic State's propagandist arm, the Rayat al-Tawheed (RAT), including posing with severed heads and dead fighters.
Last month, he had admitted preparing for acts of terrorism, attending a camp, receiving training and possessing firearms.
Khawaja, a bodybuilder, was arrested in Dover last June after faking his death and trying to return to the UK undetected.
Delivering the verdict, Woolwich Crown Court judge Justice Baker said Khawaja posed "a significant risk of serious harm" to the public. He will serve a minimum of eight years and also serve 5 years on licence.
His cousin, Tahir Bhatti, was jailed for 21 months. He will serve half of his sentence. Bhatti had driven to Serbia to collect Khawaja and bring him back to the UK.
Another man, Asim Ali, who provided his friend Khawaja with funds - was also given 21 months in prison.
Khawaja's counsel Henry Blaxland told the court his client had a very low IQ and had been "indoctrinated" in the months before he fled for Syria, in January 2014.
But Justice Baker described Khawaja, who joined the Rayat al-Tawheed (RAT) insurgent group, as a "willing and enthusiastic" participant in recruitment films.
The judge also dismissed Khawaja's claim that he came home to see his family and regretted his actions, the BBC reported.
The judge said: "It is clear in the last few years you have been showing an increasing interest in Islamic jihadist material.
"You took part in the production of films designed to promote the Islamic State cause and encouraging UK Muslims to join you in jihad.
"Your interest was sufficiently profound for you to travel to Syria to train for jihad.
"I'm also satisfied, by the time you decided to return to the UK, you had completed your terrorist training."
Khawaja showed no emotion as he was led from the court.
