The incident began in May when police stopped the University of Birmingham doctoral student under Schedule 7 powers, which allow stops without prior suspicion. Investigators examined over ten thousand of his personal messages before finally returning his confiscated mobile device four months later in September. In addition to the recruitment allegation, he disclosed that police interrogated him under caution regarding an ongoing investigation linked to his vocal anti-Israel advocacy. Counter Terrorism Policing London has not responded to requests for comment regarding the matter.
Key points
Counter-terrorism police possess broad legal powers under Schedule 7 to detain and questi…: Counter-terrorism police possess broad legal powers under Schedule 7 to detain and question travellers without requiring prior suspicion.
Hijab claimed that official questioning during an interview under caution focused primari…: Hijab claimed that official questioning during an interview under caution focused primarily on his public anti-Israel campaigning.
It remains unverified whether the redactions on the released police document were made by…: It remains unverified whether the redactions on the released police document were made by authorities or by Hijab himself.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Prominent British YouTuber Mohammed Hijab has claimed that counter-terrorism police tried to recruit him as an informant after seizing his devices.
Hijab, whose legal name is Mohamed Hegab, describes himself as a philosopher of religion pursuing a PhD in the subject at the University of Birmingham.
He has more than a million subscribers on YouTube and frequently takes parts in debates on religion, as well as political issues.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Hijab said: "I want this on the record.
"In May, counter terrorism police stopped me without explanation, seized my devices and read more than ten thousand messages. My phone came back on 11 September. No further questions."
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Hijab added: "Their notes, disclosed through my subject access request. One line reads 'Doesn’t want to be an informant.'"
He posted a screenshot of a page marked "REDACTED EXCERPT - Unrelated content removed" which has the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) logo on it and the…
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