Teen Told People Join Local Nazis, Court Hears in Terrorism Trial

Joseph Cope is from Borehamwood. He has autism and was 16 and 17 during the alleged acts. Authorities accuse him of encouraging terrorism online and making a terrorist document library.

Now 19, Cope denies the charges. These charges include encouraging terrorism, sharing terrorist material, and possessing terrorist-helpful documents.

In January 2022, Cope posted an image on social media showing violence against religious figures. The post included Nazi slogans. Two days later, he posted another image featuring Anders Breivik and a far-right symbol, including “free St Breivik” with Nazi slogans. Jurors learned about this post.

Breivik, a Norwegian extremist who murdered 77 people in 2011, was mentioned in court by Prosecutor Dan Pawson-Pounds. In May 2022, Cope posted another image showing a swastika over London and people hanging below a lamp post; the post read: “From every tree and lamp post a traitor will hang.”

Pawson-Pounds stated Cope admitted to posting these on Telegram. Evidence shows he created the initial two images using his home computer. Cope also shared the Great Library of Thule on Telegram.

This library contained hundreds of extreme right-wing documents. Some documents detailed causing public disorder, while others incited violent attacks on groups. The prosecution argues Cope intended to encourage and incite terrorism by creating the online library.

Authorities found several documents on Cope’s computer, including the White Resistance Manual. This manual contained terrorist-helpful information, including instructions on explosives and how to make improvised explosive devices and detonators. The court heard this detail.