LONDON, 25 March, 221 (TON): A man for encouraging acts of terrorism in Bangladesh through messages posted to social media has been sentenced by the British Court.

Munna Hamza, 50, of South London was convicted of three counts of encouraging terrorism contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

According to the verdict delivered by Woolwich Crown Court on 19 March, he will spend an additional year on licence when he is released.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police in post on their website, Hamza also encouraged violence against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government on social media.

Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said, “I praise the member of the public for alerting us to Hamza’s harmful, extremist posts. As a result, we were able to prevent him from publishing further incitements of violence and terror which could have had devastating consequences.”

“I hope this case sends a message that we will seek to prosecute anyone who seeks to instigate acts of serious violence by posting extremist messages.

"Every year, thousands of reports from the public help police tackle the terrorist threat and I would remind everyone to remain vigilant and help us by reporting anything at all suspicious to police. If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, even if it is online, trust your instincts and act by reporting to police in confidence,” he added.

However, the experts are of the view that this case sends a message that anyone who seeks to to instigate acts of serious violence by posting extremist messages will be prosecuted.