ISIS men plead guilty, sent to 7-yr jail by court

A special court on Friday awarded seven-year jail term to two ISIS men after they pleaded guilty, saying there was a need to show leniency as they should get an opportunity to reform themselves and become good citizens. District Judge Amar Nath convicted Azhar-ul-Islam (24) from Jammu and Kashmir and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh (25) from Maharashtra, after both pleaded guilty of criminally conspiring to raise funds and recruiting people for the terror outfit ISIS, saying "it seems they have realised their mistakes and are willing to repent for their acts and deeds".

"No doubt, they were members of a terrorist organisation and got themselves associated with their activities. That may be their folly either on account of misguidance or lack of maturity of mind and circumstances," the judge said.

He said the court "needs to take into account positive aspects from their act of pleading guilty. It seems the convicts have realised their mistakes and are willing to repent for their acts and deeds.