Police: Isa Ibrahim documentary

Avon and Somerset Police has produced a film about the case of Isa Ibrahim, a young man from Bristol who was convicted of terrorism offences in 2009.

The film, called Conviction and a discussion package was created to help raise awareness around the circumstances of the case with the aim of helping to prevent future similar occurrences.

Avon and Somerset say that Ibrahim who was convicted of planning a terrorist attack in the city centre was brought to the attention of the authorities by a call from a member of the Muslim community. They say that without the vigilance of this community member the outcome could have been very different.

DCI Martyn Triggol, who led the project, said: “The case of Isa Ibrahim was extremely significant for Bristol as well as the region as a whole.

“We recognised that the case could provide a valuable opportunity to explore some of the issues relating to preventing violent extremism and explore how police, partners and communities can work together to challenge it.

“The case of Isa Ibrahim is particularly relevant because it is a key example of the fact that we all have a role to play in recognising and supporting individuals who are vulnerable to being radicalised. It cannot be achieved by police or any other agency in isolation.”  

Avon and Somerset states that Ibrahim has seen the film and given his backing to the project, saying:  “I would like to offer my support to the Police for the work they are doing to prevent young men making the same mistakes I made.

“It is of significant importance that we all come together to root out extremism and the poisonous propaganda that is in our communities and on the internet, and I believe that Imams of mosques play a crucial role in combating this ideology.

“I urge Muslims to talk with local Imams and scholars about religious matters and not rely on the internet and those who seek to draw people into their ideology of hate; something I unfortunately was taken in by.”

The team that worked on the Conviction project included police officers that were involved in the original case, partners from local government and members of the Muslim community in Bristol.

Kalsoom Bashir of the Bristol Muslim Women’s Network and Bristol City Council, who has also been involved in the project, said: “The issues around violent extremism can be so contentious that people often avoid talking about it and believe or assume that someone else is addressing these issues. But we all have a responsibility to tackle these issues. The Conviction package offers people a safe and controlled environment in which to have these discussions to help raise awareness of the issues and the approach we can take.

“Isa Ibrahim had converted to Islam and had been radicalised by a skewed version of the faith so it is important that Muslim communities are aware of the issues around vulnerability and violent extremism but it is also important that all communities are awa're of the issues and help to protect our youngsters from going down the wrong path.”

The Conviction package includes a discussion and debate facilitated around a series of questions that hopes to form part of future constructive steps around the issue.

Read Adeela Shafi's Home Grown' review of the Conviction film

Winsome-Grace Cornish