Man jailed for spreading IS material paroled

AUCKLAND: An Auckland man jailed for distributing material from Islamic State has been granted parole.

Imran Patel will be released sometime during December and will be subject to strict bail conditions.

The 29yearold was sentenced to three years and nine months in 2016, after he was caught circulating material from the Jihadist group, including videos of a beheading.

He sent text messages with links to a beheading video to 52 people, despite receiving a warn ing from his telecommunications provider.

In a submission to the Parole Board, Patel’s lawyer noted that ‘‘his time in prison has enabled him to reflect on his life and evaluate and improve on the attitudes that contributed to his offending’’.

Patel is being released on 11 special conditions, including participation in a rehabilitation programme and submission to electronic monitoring.

He has been ordered to not enter the Avondale Islamic Centre without written approval from a Probation Officer.

Additionally, Patel has been directed not to ‘‘possess or distribute any material that promotes the destruction of or hatred for any religious, ethnic or other group of people.’’

He must not own or use any internetcapable device, other than one approved in writing by a probation officer, which could also be monitored.

Patel must also decline any request by media for an interview with a ‘‘no comment.’’

He will have a 10pm to 6am curfew. — RNZ