Man Jailed After Posting Support for Hamas and Hizballah on Social Media
A man who posted pro-terrorist and antisemitic content on social media, including praise for Adolf Hitler and support for Hamas’s 7 October attacks, has been jailed for nearly six years following a Counter Terrorism Command investigation.
Zakir Hussain Sentenced at the Old Bailey
Zakir Hussain, 30, of Harlow, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 26 June, to five years and eight months’ imprisonment, plus an additional three years on extended licence. He had pleaded guilty to four terrorism offences and seven hate speech offences earlier this year.
The case followed an anonymous tip-off from a concerned member of the public who reported his inflammatory content on X (formerly Twitter). The account, @lewiswarren911, posted statements in support of proscribed groups Hamas and Hizballah, and celebrated the October 7 Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel.
Hussain also published antisemitic material, including repeated references praising Adolf Hitler.
Counter Terrorism Command Responded Quickly
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:
“This investigation started as the result of an anonymous report by a member of the public appalled by the content of Hussain’s X account.
“Our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit assessed the content as breaching terrorism legislation. This case demonstrates that when people post unlawful, extremist material, we will act.”
Repeat Offender
At the time of his arrest in March 2024, Hussain was already serving a suspended sentence for malicious communications, having sent threatening and abusive posts to the sister of a man who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Despite that prior conviction, Hussain continued to post extreme material, leading to four charges under the Terrorism Act 2000 and seven charges under the Public Order Act.
He pleaded guilty on 20 March 2025, the first day of his trial.
Summary of Charges
| Offence | Legislation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 4x Supporting a Proscribed Organisation | Terrorism Act 2000, s.12(1A) | Support for Hamas and Hizballah |
| 7x Publishing Threatening or Abusive Material | Public Order Act, s.19 | Antisemitic posts, praise of Hitler |
Reporting Extremist Content
Police urge anyone concerned about online extremism to report content to Counter Terrorism Policing via:
www.act.campaign.gov.uk
