Alleged member of neo-Nazi terror cell says he entered right-wing politics as a Donald Trump supporter – The Independent

An alleged member of a neo-Nazi terror cell has told a court he first entered right-wing politics as a Donald Trump supporter.

Samuel Whibley, 29, is charged with disseminating terrorist publications and encouraging terrorism using the encrypted Telegram messaging app.

Sheffield Crown Court heard he set up a channel and linked chat where neo-Nazi propaganda and bomb manuals were shared.

Prosecutors allege the groups were about finding the ways and means to copy those responsible for the worst extreme right-wing atrocities, and another of the members is accused of trying to make explosives and a 3D-printed gun.

Giving evidence at the trial, Mr Whibley denied being a neo-Nazi or wanting to encourage terror attacks.

While being questioned by a defence barrister, he said he did not have an interest in politics before he started studying for a forestry degree at Bangor University in 2019.

Mr Whibley told the jury he made a new group of friends, including an American student called Noah.

I started off at the lower end of right-wing politics, I was a Trump supporter from the beginning in 2016, he added.

Noah was very republican and an ardent supporter of Trump he introduced me to right-wing memes, he would send them to me.

Mr Whibley said that as time went on he started looking at more right-wing material, then downloaded Telegram in autumn 2020.

He told jurors that he initially joined groups dedicated to survivalism and prepping, because he had been involved in doomsday prepping for a number of years.

I found my way into some right-leaning groups, most of which were based in the US and followed the kind of activity going on around the changeover from the Trump to Biden administration, the defendant said.

He described following the build-up to the Capitol riot in January 2021, saying it felt like it was going to be some kind of end-of-the-world event.

The Oaken Hearth Telegram channel was used by the defendants to recruit neo-Nazis and share terrorist material

(Telegram)

Mr Whibley said he found the riot quite frightening while watching footage of it, and that it brought out a sense of paranoia.

The previous day, he had set up the Oaken Hearth Telegram Channel, which was described on the app as a public house and gathering place for British white nationalists.

The channels logo incorporated a black sun symbol, which the court heard was linked to Nazism, but Mr Whibley said he chose it because it was aesthetic and linked to a love of nature.

The defendant told jurors he originally intended the channel to be for preppers and survivalists but decided that to increase following numbers he needed to attract right-wing preppers.

The court was shown numerous racist memes and posts by Mr Whibley, including some talking about murdering n*****s and ethnic cleansing.

He denied holding those views himself and said he was caught up in the group mentality and trying to fit in.

The defendant said he was not trying to encourage terrorism with violent posts, and that they were nonsense or meant as a sick joke.

Mr Whibley admitted sharing a post that urged those who are capable of action to work together but claimed to have copied and pasted the text from elsewhere, rather than writing it himself.

No more lone wolf take a few with me s***, as much as we love it isnt good enough. Work in teams and cause utter mayhem when you strike, said the post.

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Alleged member of neo-Nazi terror cell says he entered right-wing politics as a Donald Trump supporter - The Independent