A 29-year-old Southampton resident has been charged with sharing terrorist materials and expressing support for ISIS on social media platforms, Metropolitan Police announced Thursday.
Abdullah Bellil was arrested at his home by London counter-terrorism officers on December 18 following an extensive investigation by the London met police’s Counter Terrorism Command. The arrest marks another significant case in Britain’s ongoing efforts to combat online Islamic extremism.
Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against Bellil, including three counts of distributing terrorist publications through social media, violating Section 2(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006. He faces an additional charge for expressing support for ISIS, a proscribed terrorist organization, contrary to Section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The alleged offenses occurred between July 2023 and October 2024, according to court documents. The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which leads investigations into potential terrorist activities across London, spearheaded the operation leading to Bellil’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials have not released specific details about the content allegedly shared by Bellil, as the investigation remains active. The case highlights the continuing challenges authorities face in monitoring and preventing the spread of extremist material on social media platforms.
Bellil is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 20. If convicted, he could face significant prison time under the UK’s anti-terrorism laws, which carry maximum sentences of up to 15 years for such offenses.
The charges come amid heightened vigilance by British security services against potential terrorist threats, with particular focus on the role of social media in radicalisation and the spread of extremist ideologies.
