Silke Mayr A 16-year-old from East London has been charged with terrorism-related offenses for allegedly providing expertise in cryptocurrency and cybersecurity to the terrorist groups Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban.
The allegations emerged during a Westminster magistrates court hearing on October 30, where the teenager, who remains unnamed due to his age, was accused of fundraising approximately $1,300 in cryptocurrency for Al Qaeda.
Prosecutor Lee Ingham stated that the boy is believed to have been “ideologically supportive of Islamic terrorist groups,” including Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). He reportedly presented himself as a specialist in cryptocurrency and cybersecurity to position himself as a valuable asset to these organizations.
The teenager has pleaded not guilty to five charges, which include terrorist fundraising, terrorist training, and three counts of possessing documents potentially useful to terrorists.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring has referred the case to the Old Bailey, with the next hearing scheduled for November 2. The teenager has been released on bail with specific conditions: he must observe a nighttime curfew, refrain from using social media, and may only use his laptop for educational purposes. Additionally, he is prohibited from any form of online communication, including gaming or other interactive platforms.
A recent report by Chainalysis indicated that while some terrorist groups utilize cryptocurrency for fundraising, it remains a minor component of their overall financing strategies. The report estimated that only $450,000 of the total $82 million in cryptocurrency is linked to wallets associated with terrorist activities, with these groups primarily relying on traditional cash-based methods.