Dundee ‘Tartan Taliban’ accused of terror links

Global probe states Tayside-born convert involved in IED instruction

A global investigation has accused a Muslim convert from Tayside of teaching insurgents how to use deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The newly-published report by Londonbased charity Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) was undertaken with assistance from the Nato Counter-IED Centre of Excellence.

Dundee-born James McLintock – known as the ‘Tartan Taliban’ – has been included in the dossier by AOAV into the “regional and transnational networks that facilitate IED use”.

McLintock, 53, who changed his name to Yaqoob Mansoor Al-Rashidi, is president of the Al Rahmah Welfare Organisation (RWO), which the US Treasury alleges has been providing money for al Qaida, the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Afghan extremist groups under the guise of helping orphans.

According to the Treasury, RWO was used as a front to collect more than $180,000 from unknowing UK donors that went directly into Taliban hands.

IEDs have rapidly overtaken landmines as the dominant threat to civilians in conflict zones.

They consistently cause the most civilian harm of any weapon category, and between 2011 and 2015 were responsible for a shocking total of 105,071 civilian casualties – 59% of all casualties from explosive violence worldwide.

A Muslim convert from Tayside has been accused of teaching insurgents how to use deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Former Lawside Academy pupil James McLintock – known as the “Tartan Taliban” – has been included in a global investigation by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) into the “regional and transnational networks that facilitate IED use”.

The newly-published report was undertaken by the London-based charity with assistance from the Nato Counter-IED Centre of Excellence, based in Madrid.

Dundee-born McLintock, 53, who changed his name to Yaqoob Mansoor Al-Rashidi, is president of the Al Rahmah Welfare Organisation (RWO), which the US Treasury alleges has been providing money for al Qaida, the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Afghan extremist groups under the guise of helping orphans.

The report stated: “McLintock is said to have hired fighters to obtain photos and personal details of children in order to create falsified dossiers and attract funding for the Taliban under the guise of supporting orphans.

“RWO has supposedly been used as a front to fund militant activities in Kunar Province and McLintock has reportedly provided funds to Shaykh Aminullah, who runs the designated Ganj Madrasa, which has been said to provide funds to the Taliban.

“In 2013, McLintock met with several Taliban commanders and was actively involved in preparing madrasa students to travel and fight in Afghanistan, as well as teaching insurgents how to use IEDs.

“According to the Treasury, RWO was used as a front to collect more than $180,000 from unknowing UK donors that went directly into Taliban hands.

“Interestingly, RWO has currently or in the past, at least according to their website, several cooperative efforts together with organisations around the world.

“It should be noted that McLintock and RWO have ‘categorically denied’ all accusations.”

In 2013, McLintock met with several Taliban commanders

Picture: David Moir. Yaqoob Mansoor Al-Rashidi, who was born James McLintock in Dundee, has been investigated by an anti-violence charity with help from Nato.