An Australian man who embraced the ‘depraved’ ideology of ISIS has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in terrorism activities. Aran Sherani, aged 22, was observed smiling in court as Judge Mandy Fox of the Supreme Court of Victoria delivered the sentence. The verdict was handed down after a jury had previously found Sherani guilty of preparing for a terrorist act based on self-recorded video footage from 2021 where he professed allegiance to ISIS while brandishing a knife and boasting about being evasive of law enforcement.
While the jury did not find him guilty of setting bushfires as part of a terrorist act, Sherani admitted to being a member of a terrorist group. The court learned that Sherani had engaged with ISIS propaganda material, including videos depicting acts of terrorism such as beheadings and executions, found on his phone. Judge Fox noted that Sherani had intentions to intimidate law enforcement with the knife in the video but did not implement his plans, resulting in his voluntary abandonment and subsequent arrest without resistance.
Sherani, identified as having an interest in the Kurdish cause due to personal family history, was reported to have been radicalised during the Covid-19 pandemic through online channels. Despite Sherani renouncing ISIS and disavowing their ability to aid the Kurdish people during a court appearance in July, Judge Fox expressed concerns about the risk of his potential re-radicalisation, deeming him a possible future threat.
The court sentenced Sherani to eight years in prison with the opportunity for parole after six years. His elder brother, Ari Sherani, who was allegedly involved in filming the incriminating videos, was also charged with terrorism-related offences but was subsequently acquitted. The case highlights the ongoing battle against extremism and the significant consequences individuals face for engaging in acts of terrorism within Australia’s jurisdiction.