The judge said the father of six who designed missiles for Islamic State chose to ignore the true nature of the terrorist group’s atrocities and was not “hoodwinked.” On the contrary Judge, Haisem Zahab understood very well the true nature of the Islamic State – Islam – which is exactly why he joined the war.
A New South Wales electrician who designed missiles for Islamic State chose to ignore the true nature of the terrorist group’s atrocities and was not “hoodwinked”, a judge says.
Haisem Zahab pleaded guilty in October 2018 to knowingly providing support or resources to a terrorist organisation after working on a laser warning receiver, rockets and a rocket guidance method for IS from 2014.
The 44-year-old, from the NSW town of Young, also admitted he failed to comply with an order to help police access encrypted data on his phone and other devices.
Zahab has pleaded guilty to sending drawings and instructions to IS supporters overseas.
Zahab pleaded guilty to sending drawings and instructions to IS supporters overseas. (9News)
Justice Geoffrey Bellew today jailed Zahab for nine years with a non-parole period of six years and nine months.
Family members gasped and cried out in the NSW Supreme Court’s public gallery as the sentence was delivered.
The judge rejected Zahab’s testimony that he’d been in a cult or bubble of IS supporters – including on Twitter where he assumed the alias “Stranger” – and had divorced himself from mainstream news.
Zahab has pleaded guilty to sending drawings and instructions to IS supporters overseas.
The electrician’s work was described as sophisticated. (9News)
“His evidence essentially amounts to the proposition that he was living a hermit-like existence, cloistered in something akin to a hermetically-sealed bubble, completely removed from reality,” Justice Bellew said.
He further dismissed Zahab’s claim he genuinely believed at the time of his offending that IS was “a force of good” rather than evil and could, therefore, assist civilians in Syria fight the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
“Such a proposition, in my view, is fanciful in the extreme,” the judge said.
“The offender had become aware of the atrocities committed by IS. His level of dedication to that organisation saw him choose to ignore what had come to his attention.”
The agreed facts state Zahab researched and used 3D technology to develop the mechanical design and fabrication of a laser warning receiver to provide advanced notice of incoming laser-guided weapons.
He created a 288-page report on the receiver and sent it via secure software to a UK national in Wales who later admitted to membership of IS.
He also simulated flights of rockets with some featuring Islamic State’s black flag with white writing.
The judge said Zahab “earnestly” engaged in secretive and sophisticated nightly research for the terror group, providing “substantial and tangible” support.
“He did so with unwavering focus, at all times intent upon assisting IS in its involvement in armed and violent...
