The UK is set to become the first country to ban Terrorgram amid concerns over the extreme far-right online network.
The Home Secretary confirmed that attempts to restrict Terrorgram were introduced in Parliament and would come into effect on April 26 if approved.
The order would mean that it's a criminal offence to be involved with Terrorgram in any way, and offenders could face up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
If passed, counter-terrorism police will be given the power to compel tech companies to block UK users' online content.
“The Terrorgram collective spreads vile propaganda and aims to radicalise young people to conduct heinous terrorist acts,” said James Cleverley.
“This is why we are outlawing membership or support for the group – we will not tolerate the promotion or encouragement of terrorism in the United Kingdom.
He added: “It will become the first online terrorist network to be proscribed, alongside 80 other extreme right-wing and Islamist organisations, as we continue to disrupt and outlaw terrorist groups to protect the British people.”
Terrorgram has already been linked to countless terror incidents linked to white supremacists and far-right extremists. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Terrorgram?
Terrorgram is a collective of secretive groups on the messaging app Telegram that is tied to neo-Nazis, white supremacists and various extremists in the far-right.
People who use this network of messaging groups often share things like making bombs and radical ideologies.
Its members also glorify the attacks of neo-fascist terrorists and appear to encourage more attacks of this kind. Terrorgram has been tied to various terrorist attacks around the world, such as the shooting of two people at a nightclub in Slovakia.
“The Terrorgram collective is a dangerous neo-fascist organisation that actively encourages and promotes terrorist activity,” added Tom Tugendhat.
He added: “We must do everything in our power to deter and limit the reach of hateful and terrorist ideologies, and to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Proscribing the Terrorgram collective will do just that.”
Banned groups in the UK
Under the Terrorism Act 2020, extremist groups can be “proscribed”, meaning it's a criminal offence to be involved with, invite others or share opinions that align with the terrorist ideology.
Alongside Terrorgram, according to the UK Gov website, there are five other extreme right-wing groups that have been proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000.
There are also 75 groups associated with extreme Islamist ideologies, as well as 14 organisations related to Northern Ireland's activities.
