(Trinidad Express) A terrorist working with the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Syria has been identified as an El Socorro man who was also deported from the United States.
And Government sources have confirmed that getting to Trinidadians like him who are linked to ISIS in Syria was part of the State signing the United Nations resolution on terrorism in New York last month.
TV6 News reported a month ago that Trinidadians were working in Syria with ISIS.
TV6 also showed on online videos and first reported weeks ago of fundamentalist Trini Muslims being lured by a US$1,000 per day salary.
Now, Government sources are admitting that getting to those men is part of the privilege of signing the United Nations resolution on terrorism.
They’re not saying how, however, except the claim that “it affords intelligence and information-sharing”, TV6 reported last night.
But with the Trini jihadists putting their own faces before the cameras, why aren’t they being identified by the local authorities?
Director of the National Operations Centre, Garvin Heerah, said they’re working with international counterparts to verify identities and are involved in intelligence-sharing with international counterparts.
TV6 went to the hometown of one of the alleged ISIS fighters.
Shazam Mohammed is likely the first Trinidadian ISIS fighter to be identified by name.
He is not the man heard vehemently encouraging fellow Muslims to join him in this Isis-produced video yesterday…but, rather the bald, bearded man seen to that man’s right…yielding an assault rifle with a child on his back.
The video, released on August 2 is now thought to contain not one, but two Trinidadian ISIS members.
Neigbhours said Mohammed, known as “Shazo”, grew up on Boundary Road, San Juan.
Between 37 and 39 years old, it is believed he lived there up to as recently as three months ago around the time he presumably left to join ISIS, TV6 News reported.
He is said to have been involved in unsavoury activities from a young age, according to neighbours.
They added that he moved to the United States, where they believe he became embroiled in what they termed as “heavier” stuff…activities which subsequently lead to his deportation.
Returning to Trinidad, he lived in San Juan and prayed at the El Socorro Mosque. He also lived in Charlieville with his mother.
Neighbours say a brother of his was murdered in Laventille reportedly while trying to sell a firearm.
His family could not be contacted for comment.
National Security Minister Gary Griffith was not available for comment yesterday.
