British man charged with directing activities of Somali terror group Al-Shabaab

A British man has been charged with offences linked to the Somalia-based terror group Al-Shabaab.
Jermaine Grant, 43, is accused of directing the Islamist group’s activities between December 31, 2007, and January 1, 2010.

He is also charged with three counts of attending an Al-Shabaab commando training camp in Kismayu in Somalia, and two counts of possessing an AK47 for terrorist purposes.

The charges follow an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

Acting Commander Kris Wright, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: ‘These are serious charges and come as the result of a long-running investigation.

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‘This case shows we will always pursue anyone suspected of being involved in terrorist activity, no matter where in the world or how long ago it is alleged to have taken place.’
Grant will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter terrorism division, said: ‘We have decided to prosecute Jermaine Grant with directing the activities of a terrorist organisation, three counts of attending a place for terrorist purposes and two counts of possession of an article for terrorist purposes.

‘The charges relate to Mr Grant’s alleged involvement in 2008 and 2009 with Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organisation operating in Somalia.

‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

‘We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command as it carried out its investigation.

‘We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Al-Shabaab is an Islamist armed group that has been linked to al Qaeda.

The group was labelled a ‘persistent threat’ in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which carries out ‘high profile attacks that challenge government authority’, according to a 2025 assessment by the UK Government.

It has targeted international aid workers, journalists, business people and non-government organisations who have opposed or resisted it.

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