A British computer expert described as the pioneer of the Taliban’s cyber jihad has been caged for 12 and half years in America.
Babar Ahma had admitted conspiracy and providing material to support the Taliban.
However as the 40-year-old, of Tooting, south London, has already spent 10 years in prison in the UK and US and his lawyer believes he could be released in about seven-and-a-half months.
He waived his right to an appeal as part of a plea agreement.
Ahmad is expected to carry out the remainder of his sentence in New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Centre and will be considered for release if he shows good behaviour while in jail.
The Londoner, who spent a decade fighting against conviction, was accused of being the mastermind behind the world’s first English website dedicated to jihad.
US prosecutors had called for a 25-year sentence but today Judge Janet Hall sentenced him to 150 months in the US District Court in New Haven, Connecticut,
Ahmad was extradited to the US in 2012 after an eight-year legal battle.
He had earlier admitted his role in operating Azzam Publications, a London-based website that helped organise funds and support to the Taliban in Afghanistan and mujahideen forces in Chechnya.
The case was brought by US prosecutors in Connecticut as they argued he had used an internet service provider in the state to help run his website.
Ahmad was first arrested in December 2003 by Scotland Yard counter-terrorism detectives.
However within days he was released and sued the Metropolitan police for £60,000 for injures sustained during his apprehension.
He was detained again in August 2004 at the request of US authorities before fighting extradition.
