Terrorism & National Security
Overview | Expertise | Notable Cases
Overview
Naeem's unparalleled expertise in terrorism and national security law has established him as a preeminent Kings’ Counsel, consistently leading in over 50 major high-profile cases in the UK.
With unrivalled experience in cases of terrorism & national security, Naeem is rightly regarded as one of the leading barristers in the field. Naeem has been involved in most of the major, high profile terrorism related cases in the UK. Plainly, these are cases of the utmost gravity, complexity and sensitivity. To date, he has been instructed on in excess of 50 such cases both as a Leading Junior and as King’s Counsel.
In addition, Naeem is one of a handful of Counsel nationally to be recognised as an expert in and be regularly instructed on behalf of individuals subject to proceedings under the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (TPIMs) - formerly Control Orders. The imposition of a TPIM is authorised personally by the Home Secretary and relies on the use of highly sensitive intelligence from the security services, TPIMs are heard exclusively at the Royal Courts of Justice in London before judges of the High Court.
Some of his landmark cases include securing the acquittal of one of three men charged in connection with the 7/7 London Underground bombings that resulted in the murder of 52 people (R v Saleem & Others); securing the acquittal of a defendant charged with planning a bombing campaign on the UK mainland (R v Hussain); securing the acquittal of a defendant alleged to be making his way to fight in Syria (R v Diini & Others); the acquittal of a defendant dubbed the “Jihottie” charged with funding terrorism abroad (R v Nawal Msaad); and being instructed in the first ever terrorism trial to be heard in secret (R v AB).
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Expertise
Naeem's exceptional advocacy and cross-examination skills make him a standout legal advocate, allowing him to navigate complex and high-stakes cases with confidence and precision. He is frequently entrusted with cross-examining operatives from both the security services and representatives of the Home Secretary, showcasing his fearlessness in confronting challenging witnesses and authorities, ultimately benefiting his clients.
Naeem is usually instructed at a very early stage in terrorism cases from advising on resisting applications for warrants of further detention, through every stage of the case to its conclusion at trial, and appeal, if necessary. His cases often involve cutting edge law, novel evidential and factual complexities, highly sensitive secret material, cross examination of MI5/MI6 operatives, experts in “mindset evidence,” and closed material and procedures.
Naeem's adeptness in handling expert evidence, whether scientific, technical, or otherwise, further solidifies his reputation as a formidable legal practitioner. He excels at simplifying complex technicalities for juries and judges, ensuring a clear understanding of the significance of such evidence in his clients' cases.
Terrorism & National Security Case
R v Harry Vaughan (2020) - Suspended Sentence for Neo-Nazi
Following pleas of guilty to 14 terrorism offences and 2 offences relating to indecent images, Naeem Mian KC secured his client, Harry Vaughan, a two-year suspended sentence in a hearing at the Central Criminal Court.Vaughan was prolific online and hid behind a series of aliases. He uploaded self-made propaganda images to a neo-Nazi website promoting the now-banned terrorist organisation Sonnenkrieg Division. He also possessed - and posted online - a series of weapons and explosives manuals. Read the media coverage: Sky News | BBC | The Guardian | Evening Standard
R v R (2018): Sentence Reduced for ‘Royal Family’ Terrorist
The Appellant, Husnain Rashid, had his sentence reduced at the Court of Appeal from 25 years to 19 years. He was convicted of calling for attacks, including upon Prince George’s school. Read the media coverage: The Independent | BBC News | Sky News | The Independent | The Guardian | The Times
R v R (2018) ‘Royal Family’ Terrorist
Rashid was charged with six terrorism offences including preparing to carry out offences of terrorism in Syria, assisting others to commit acts of terrorism and encouraging others to commit acts of terrorism on the UK mainland including calling for Prince George to be targeted at Thomas’s Battersea primary school in south-west London. Read the media coverage: Sky News | The Guardian
R v O (2018) Caution for Teen Terrorist
O was prosecuted at the age of 16 for terrorism offences that he was alleged to have committed when he was 14. This case was only the third occasion on which a terrorism trial has been conducted in the Youth Court. Following detailed written submissions, Naeem’s client was offered a conditional caution (after 1 year) thereby avoiding a trial and potential terrorism conviction. Reporting Restrictions Apply.
R v H (2018) Acquitted of UK Bombing
Naeem secured the acquittal of H after he was alleged he had been planning a bomb attack on UK mainland. The evidence against H included extensive communications with a number of individuals based overseas, various documents on bomb making and messages from L to others suggesting that he wanted to die as a martyr. Read the press coverage: Daily Mail | The Express
R v I (2017) Terrorist Framing Family
The Defendant attempted to frame his brother-in-law as a terrorist and paedophile after his arranged marriage broke down. In revenge, he set up fake social media profiles in the name of Mohammed Razaul Karim that aimed to depict the innocent man as an Isis supporter, bomb plotter and child molester. Read the media coverage: The Independent
R v J (2017) Terrorism Retrial after Hung Jury
The Defendant was convicted of preparing acts of terrorism after being caught in a covert police operation. During his trial, the Old Bailey heard he wanted to join the Islamic State to rid himself of “evil spirits”. The jury were hung in the first trial. He was convicted in the retrial. Read the media coverage: BBC News | Daily Mail
R v Zeb (2017) ‘Glorifying Martyrdom’
The Defendant pleaded guilty to distributing terrorist material via WhatsApp to Humza Ali, who was later convicted of attempting to travel to Syria to join Isis. He received a sentence of 21 months imprisonment. Read Media Coverage: ITV News | BBC News
R v J (2017) Hung Jury in Terrorism Trial
The Defendant was convicted of preparing acts of terrorism after being caught in a covert police operation. During his trial, the Old Bailey heard he wanted to join the Islamic State to rid himself of “evil spirits”. The jury were hung in the first trial. He was convicted in the retrial. Read the media coverage: BBC News | Daily Mail
R v Kahar (2016) Sentence Reduced in Terrorism Guideline Case
This became the guideline case for Sentencing in terrorism cases. Ziamani’s sentence was reduced from 22 years to 19 years. Read the Judgement: Judgement. Read the media coverage: ITV News | Evening Standard | Daily Mail
EB v SSHD (2016) Terrorism Prevention & Investigation & Measure
Challenge to procedural matters in TPIM. Read the judgement: Judgement.
SSHD v EB (2016) Terrorism Prevention & Investigation & Measure
Naeem is one of a handful of barristers nationally who acts for individuals subject to TPIMs. Notices are issued by the Home Secretary against individuals whom the Home Secretary suspects of being involved in terrorism or terrorism related activity. Heard in both open and secret session, they invariably concern matters of national security and human rights. Individuals against whom such Notices are imposed, are subject to anonymity, strict measures and relocation. Read the Judgements: Judgement
R v Diini (2016) Acquitted of Travel to Syria
Diini had been charged under s. 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, which makes it an offence to engage in conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to commit acts of terrorism. He was alleged to have attempted to travel to Syria to fight for so-called Islamic State. He had been found attempting to leave the UK in the back of a lorry in April 2015 with three other men, one of whom later pleaded guilty to an offence under s. 5. Naeem secured an acquittal for Diini after a 5-week trial. Read the media coverage: The Guardian | BBC News | The Telegraph | Daily Mail
R v Aras (2016) IS Fighters in Iraq
Allegation that the defendant, along with others, made concerted efforts to travel to Syria/ Iraq in order to fight with IS. Read the media coverage: The Guardian | BBC News | ITV News
R v Ziamani (2015) Soldier Beheading
Allegation of being concerned in the preparation of a terrorist attack. Allegation is that the defendant was planning to attack a member of the armed forced at an army barracks in the UK. Read the media coverage: BBC News | The Guardian | The Independent | ITV News | The Telegraph
R v S (2015) ‘Five Star’ Jihad Brothers
Allegation that the defendant and his brother were intending to travel to Syria to fight/ commit acts of terrorism. Their brother Iftikhar Jaman, who had previously travelled to Syria and had died in battle, spoke of ‘Five Star Jihad’ in Syria. Read the media coverage: BBC News | ITV News | The Telegraph | The Guardian | The Mirror
Guardian News & Media Ltd v AB (2014) Anonymity & Secret Trial
Challenge to unprecedented decision to anonymous the defendants and hold terrorism trial in secret. Judgement
Guardian News & Media Ltd v Incedal (2014) Secret Terrorism Trial
Landmark media challenge to the decision to hold the trial of two terror suspects in a secret trial at the Old Bailey on grounds of national security. Read the Judgement: Judgement. Read the press coverage: The Guardian
R v Msaad (2014) ‘ISIS Ji-Hottie’ Acquitted
Allegation of being engaged in terrorist funding. The defendant was a British student studying at University. She was stopped at Heathrow with €20 000 in her underwear which was allegedly destined for terrorists fighting in Syria. Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court, she was acquitted. Read the media coverage: The Guardian | BBC News | ITV News | The Independent | Channel 4 News
R v AB & CD (2014) Secret Terrorist Trial
Unprecedented terrorism trial held mostly in secret. Involved appeal by the press to the Court of Appeal. Read the media coverage: The Guardian | BBC News | The Telegraph | The Times
R v A (2014) Suspended Sentence for AQ Manual & Training Camp
Multiple allegations of offences contrary to section 58 and conspiracy to attend a training camp. Defendants were two young brothers whom the Crown accepted had been ‘groomed’ and radicalised by their older brother in law. Case involved extensive use of surveillance evidence. The Defendants received suspended sentences. Read the media coverage: BBC News
R v Ali (2014) Terrorist Material
Multiple allegations contrary to section 58. Case concerned the Defendant being a member of a proscribed organisation and possessing material likely to be of use to a terrorist. Read the media coverage: BBC News | Dailymail | The Guardian
R v Barnes (2014) Glorifying Terrorism
Multiple allegations of inciting terrorism overseas and ‘glorifying terrorism’. The case involved extensive use of media including Facebook and focused on glorification of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. Read the media coverage: BBC News | The Independent | The Guardian |
R v Alom & Others (2013) Terrorist Plot
Allegations of planning a terrorist attack and conspiracy to attend a training camp. The defendant was an ex- special constable. Case involved extensive surveillance evidence. Read the media coverage: BBC News | The Guardian | The Independent
SSHD v CD (2012) Control Order
Imposition of a Control Order. Read the judgement: Judgement
R v K (2012) Husband & Wife Terrorists
Husband and wife alleged to have been planning a terrorist attack in the North of England. Read the media coverage: BBC News | The Telegraph |
R v Ali (2012) Al-Shabab Funding
Allegations of being engaged in terrorist funding. The defendants were alleged to have been involved in funding their brother and others who were alleged to have been fighting with Al Shabab in Somalia. Read the media coverage: BBC News | The Guardian | The Independent | Daily Mail
SSHD v CD (2010-2012) Control Order
Control Order in the High Court. Allegation of involvement in an attempt to launch ‘Mumbai style’ attack in UK. Involved use of secret evidence. Read judgement: Judgement
R v A & Others Terrorist Attack Planning
Allegations of preparing for terrorist attacks contrary to section 5. The case involved a number of individuals allegedly planning a terrorist attack on the UK mainland. Whilst the specific target had yet to be identified, the level of preparation was well advanced. The case involved extensive use of evidence from the security services.
R v K Fundraising for Middle East
Allegations of being engaged in fundraising for a terrorist purpose. The case against the defendants involved fundraising for individuals allegedly involved in terrorist acts in the Middle East. The case relied on the extensive use of surveillance and banking evidence.
R v K & Others Jihad in Iraq
Allegations of inciting terrorism overseas. The defendant was alleged to have been involved in inciting individuals from the UK to join ‘jihad’ in Iraq. The case involved the extensive use of Facebook and other social media.
CD v SSHD (2011) Control Order
Challenging relocation as a measure imposed by the Control Order. Judgement
R v K & K (2011) Attack Planning
Allegations of preparing for acts of terrorism and possessing terrorism related material. The prosecution sought to prove a ‘terrorist mind-set’ by relying on a vast amount of literature and other material found in the possession of the defendants. Coupled with extensive probe material, the prosecution alleged that the defendants were in the early stages of planning a terrorist attack.
R v CD (2011) Acquitted of Control Order Breach
Allegation of breaching a Control Order. In only the second contested prosecution of its type ever to be brought, the defendant was charged with 15 counts of breaching a Control Order contrary to the PTA 2005. An Old Bailey jury unanimously acquitted the defendant on counts 1 and 2. They were unable to reach verdicts on the remaining 13 counts and were discharged. The prosecution chose not to seek a re-trial on the 13 counts. Read the media coverage: BBC News
SSHD v BG (2009-2011) Control Order
Control Order case where the allegation was that the Appellant had/intended to attend a terrorist training camp and/or fight abroad. Read the judgement: Judgement
R (Patel) (2010) JR for 7/7 Bomber’s Wife
A judicial review was made on behalf of Hasina Patel, the wife of 7/7 bomber, for legal aid for representation at the Inquest.
R v CA (2010) Control Order
Challenging the imposition of a Control Order and subsequent relocation as part of the measures package. Read the judgement: Judgement
R v S (2009) Retrial Acquitted of 7/7 Bombing
The defendant’s were jointly charged with Conspiracy to Cause Explosions With Intent To Endanger Life (the 7/7 bombings of the London transport system which resulted in the deaths of 52 people – Operation Theseus). at the retrial in 2009, ‘S’ was acquitted. Read the media coverage: The Guardian | The Independent | NY Times | Al Jazeera
R v S (2008) Hung Jury in 7/7 Bombings Trial
The Defendants were charged with the London 7th July bombing of the London transport system. The jury having been unable to reach a verdict in h the first trial in 2008.
R v M (2008) Terrorist Material
Allegations of possessing terrorist related material. The defendant had what amounted to a library of prohibited material including various editions of Inspire Magazine and lectures from a variety of extremist ideologues.
R v H (2008) Iraq War Fundraising
Multiple allegations of being engaged in fundraising for a terrorist purpose. The defendants were alleged to be members of a proscribed organisation. The case involved the extensive use of ‘mind-set’ evidence illustrated by reference to publications and other media.