Kochi: A special court in Kochi handling National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases on Saturday found two men from Coimbatore guilty of recruiting and propagating the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). 

Mohammad Azharudeen (27) of Anbu Nagar, Ukkadam, Coimbatore, and Shiek Hidayathulla, also known as Firoz Khan (35) of South Ukkadam, Coimbatore, were convicted by Judge N Seshadrinathan. 

The court found them guilty under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and sections 38 (membership of a terrorist organisation) and 39 (supporting a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). During the proceedings, both convicts appealed for leniency in sentencing, citing their family backgrounds. 

The case stems from an FIR registered in 2019 after the NIA received information that Azharudeen and his associates were actively propagating ISIS ideology. They allegedly recruited vulnerable youth to carry out terrorist activities in South India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

According to the NIA, Azharudeen had links with Wahadath-e-Islami, a frontal organisation of Jamaath-e-Islami Hind. Both Azharudeen and Hidayathulla were reportedly radicalised through online material on Salafi Islamic ideology in 2016. The accused were said to have watched videos by Anwar al-Awlaki, Abu Bara, Moosa Cerantonio, and Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka, among others. 

The agency also submitted that speeches and materials attributed to Sri Lankan ISIS leader Zahran Hashim were recovered from the accused. Between 2017 and 2019, they allegedly furthered ISIS activities in South India, visiting several places in Kerala to meet associates and express support for the organisation. 

While the FIR initially named six individuals, the NIA filed a charge sheet in 2019 against only Azharudeen and Hidayathulla. During the trial, the court examined 40 witnesses. Both convicts are scheduled to appear before the court on September 29 for sentencing. Azharudeen is also facing a separate case related to an explosion in Coimbatore.