A woman convicted for planning a terrorist attack involving explosives is currently seeking early release from prison after serving seven years of her sentence. Rowaida El-Hassan, 33, was imprisoned in 2018 after meeting Munir Mohammed, 36, through a dating site and sharing violent videos shortly after their relationship began. El-Hassan stored chemicals following Mohammed’s acquisition of bomb-making knowledge from an online manual also used by the Manchester bomber.
Although El-Hassan received a 17-year sentence in 2018, with 12 years in jail and an additional five-year license, she is now attempting to secure her freedom. Records obtained by a media outlet reveal her refusal to accept responsibility for the crime. El-Hassan contested a decision by the Parole Board denying her release, arguing that her denial was the sole reason for rejection, neglecting other factors indicating reduced risk. Additionally, it was uncovered that she had been covertly exchanging messages with Mohammed while in prison.
However, Barbarah Mensah, representing the Parole Board, rejected El-Hassan’s appeal. Mohammed, on the other hand, communicated with an ISIS commander via Facebook after their terrorism convictions in 2018. He had learned bomb-making techniques from a YouTube video used by the Manchester Arena attacker. Authorities feared his plan to contaminate ready meals with ricin at a food processing plant supplying major supermarkets.
Mohammed, who initially received a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years, had his minimum sentence extended to 21 years by Judge Michael Topolski, QC. He arrived in the UK as a Sudanese refugee and sought asylum in 2014, later encountering immigration issues. Despite this, he was employed at a food company and engaged romantically with a British woman online.
El-Hassan and Mohammed’s relationship evolved quickly, with their communication escalating to discussions about terrorist activities. El-Hassan, a pharmacist, provided guidance on bomb-making materials. Their interactions included coded language on social media platforms, detailing plans for an attack in the UK. The duo’s involvement in terrorism led to their convictions and subsequent imprisonment.