Overview
Parviz Khan is a dual U.K.-Pakistani citizen who is a follower of Anjem Choudary, an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter. Khan was the ringleader of a gang who plotted to kidnap and behead a British soldier.Nick Craven, “EXCLUSIVE Three Islamist terrorists who plotted to behead a British soldier, bomb a shopping centre and join ISIS after being inspired by hate preacher Anjem Choudary could walk free after being referred for parole,” Daily Mail, October 28, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10139985/Three-Islamist-terrorists-plotted-behead-soldier-bomb-shopping-centre-walk-free.html.
Khan reportedly became radicalized in his early thirties following a visit to Pakistan. According to a former friend, upon Khan’s return to the U.K., he became “more anti-west, blaming Britain for the Israel-Palestine issue, Kashmir, civilians dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.” According to audio from a listening device that was placed in Khan’s home by police, Khan expressed that if he was “not working for Islam full time…[he was a] pure hypocrite.”“Profile: Parviz Khan,” Guardian, February 18, 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/18/uksecurity3. After another visit to Pakistan in 2006, Khan became deeply radicalized and began watching a lot of anti-west propaganda material. Inspired by Choudary’s al-Muhajiroun network, Khan reportedly became the leader of an Islamist gang that plotted to kidnap and kill a member of the British armed forces on November 1, 2006.James Sturcke, “Man charged with plot to kidnap and kill soldier,” Guardian, February 9, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/feb/09/terrorism.politics2; “Profile: Parviz Khan,” Guardian, February 18, 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/18/uksecurity3.
On January 31, 2007, the West Midlands Counter-Terrorism Unit and police arrested Khan and eight other individuals of Pakistani origin for plotting a kidnapping and beheading of a British Muslim soldier who served in Afghanistan.“ISLAMIC RADICALIZATION IN THE UK: INDEX OF RADICALIZATION,” International Institute for Counter Terrorism, Summer 2012, https://www.ict.org.il/UserFiles/Islamic%20Radicalization%20in%20UK.pdf. The men, who were arrested on “suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism” reportedly sought to carry out an “Iraqi-style” abduction. The abduction plot involved kidnapping the soldier, and then videotaping the torture and execution of the victim to be later released on the Internet.“Terror raids over 'beheading plot',” CNN, January 31, 2007, http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/31/uk.terror.arrests/.
Khan appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on February 9, 2007, where he was accused of engaging in conduct “to give effect to his intention to kidnap and kill a member of the British armed forces” as well as attempting to supply equipment for use in terrorism acts and making available funds or property which could be used for terrorism acts.James Sturcke, “Man charged with plot to kidnap and kill soldier,” Guardian, February 9, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/feb/09/terrorism.politics2. Khan admitted to being angry that Muslims were serving in the British Army—which he portrayed as fighting Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan—and also admitted to sending equipment, including night-vision cameras, balaclavas, and computers, to Pakistan to be used by militants opposing U.S. and British troops in Afghanistan.“Beheading plot leader gets life sentence,” Reuters, February 18, 2008, https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-trial/beheading-plot-leader-gets-life-sentence-idUKL1863682920080218. On February 18, 2008, a judge at Leicester crown court sentenced Khan to a minimum of 14 years’ incarceration. Additionally, Khan would serve eight years for the supply of equipment and two and a half years for both counts of being in possession of records and documents likely to be of use to a terrorist. The sentences were to be carried out concurrently.David Batty, “Ringleader of beheading plot jailed for life,” Guardian, February 18, 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/18/uksecurity.
On October 28, 2021, media sources reported that Khan, along with two other of Choudary’s followers, applied for release. If approved by the parole board, Khan would potentially be released sometime in 2022.Nick Craven, “EXCLUSIVE Three Islamist terrorists who plotted to behead a British soldier, bomb a shopping centre and join ISIS after being inspired by hate preacher Anjem Choudary could walk free after being referred for parole,” Daily Mail, October 28, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10139985/Three-Islamist-terrorists-plotted-behead-soldier-bomb-shopping-centre-walk-free.html.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Supporter
Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks was the deadliest ever on American soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. Since the fall of the Taliban, al-Qaeda has established operations worldwide, including in Syria, the Gulf, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On April 3, 2017, the day Vladimir Putin was due to visit the city, a suicide bombing was carried out in the St. Petersburg metro, killing 15 people and injuring 64. An al-Qaeda affiliate, Imam Shamil Battalion, claimed responsibility.