A man accused of being a member of Islamic State, who arrived in the UK illegally as a teenager, has been granted indefinite leave to remain, a court was told. Abdullah Yousef, now 23, faces multiple terrorism-related charges after his arrest on December 16, 2025. Yousef, from Bletchley in Milton Keynes, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday by video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
He is accused of belonging to the banned organisation Islamic State and of possessing information likely to be useful to someone preparing or committing an act of terrorism — specifically, a document entitled “homemade explosive belts”. He also faces four counts of disseminating terrorist publications. One of these relates to a video showing the September 11, 2001 attack on the Twin Towers in New York City, marking the 24th anniversary of the assault that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Prosecutor Frederick Hookway told the court: “The defendant was arrested on December 16, 2025 at his home address.
“Following the arrest, officers searched the property and seized a mobile phone.
“The key evidence in this case comes from that mobile phone and its contents.
“Records show that on May 4, 2024, the defendant was in a Telegram conversation with another user, during which he was sent a link to an archive site. He then used that link to pledge allegiance to IS.
“Thereafter, a significant amount of material was found indicating, at the very least, sympathy for IS, including the sharing of publications that support the group.
“In addition, officers recovered a specific document from the phone — a guide to constructing suicide vests. While it did not provide complete instructions, it was capable of being useful to someone intending to carry out such an act.
“Messages also showed the defendant actively seeking out such information.
“Further background reveals that the defendant entered the UK illegally at around 15 years of age. He claims to be from Syria, although the dialect detected on his phone suggests he may originate from Egypt.
“He has since been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK.”
Yousef was remanded in custody to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on May 1, 2026.
His trial, expected to last between seven and 10 days, is scheduled to begin at the same court on September 21, 2026.
Mrs Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb addressed the defendant, saying: “Mr Yousef, I must give you some warnings.
“The first is that it is in your own interest to co-operate with your lawyers; they are acting on your behalf.
“Use your common sense and provide them with the instructions they require.
“The next time you appear in court will be in May of this year at Birmingham Crown Court.”
