MOSCOW, December 5 (Sputnik) — Two British men were given a sentence of 12 years and eight months each by a UK court on charges of planning terrorist acts after a trip to Syria, the BBC reported Friday.
The judge imposed an extended sentence of five years over the 12 years, the news outlet reported. This means the accused will remain under supervision of the local correctional services for the extended period after their release.
Childhood friends, Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Sarwar, both 22, flew to Turkey and crossed into Syria after contacting Islamist extremists. They were arrested at Heathrow airport when returning to the UK in January, as reported by the news outlet.
Traces of military-grade explosives were found on their clothing and pictures on their camera showed them displaying weapons when they were arrested.
During the sentencing, Judge Michael Topolski referred to the two men as “deeply committed to violent extremism”, as reported by the BBC.
"[The two men] willingly, enthusiastically and with a great deal of purpose, persistence and determination embarked on a course intended to commit acts of terrorism,” Topolski was quoted as saying by the news outlet.
In a note published on BBC, Sarwar admitted to his parents that he was joining Islamists affiliated with the Al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front terrorist group.
The parents of the two men cooperated with the UK authorities in carrying out investigations, but said they felt betrayed by the long sentences issued to their sons.
