British terror suspect Jermaine Grant ‘sought jihad material’

A British terror suspect charged with being in possession of explosive materials had saved jihad literature in a computer storage device, a Mombasa court heard on Monday.

Scotland Yard computer forensic examiner Steven Ball said he retrieved terrorism and jihad materials gathered from several websites and saved on a purple Sony flash disc allegedly recovered from Jermaine Grant.

In his evidence before senior principal magistrate Joyce Gandani, Mr Ball however said some of the material had been deleted but he managed to reconstruct a few, including one touching on explosive and bomb making chemicals. (READ: Scotland Yard detective testifies in Jermaine Grant trial)

Mr Ball told the court that he examined the content of the flash disc and extracted others in a file on weaponry and assorted explosives saved on December 11, 2011, using forensic techniques.

“Some speak of use of volt meter when used to test explosives detonators and fuses, deception bombs or booby trap,” he said.

He went on: “I have personal knowledge of this document. I’ve seen it numerous times and the methods of creating devices or items that would hurt someone such as explosives or electric shocks. These documents are always aimed against the establishment.”

Mr Ball alleged that Grant frequented many websites, some linked to terrorists groups, to read information on bomb making and explosives. 

“These files speak for themselves and show the person’s interest in the construction of an improvised explosive device and with the chemicals files show intent to obtain the materials to make such a device,” he stated in one of his reports.

The witness also stated that he retrieved stories on war in Afghanistan by British soldiers and other events in Arab countries, particularly Egypt and Syrian — mainly from News International and Arab News.

Hearing continues Tuesday.