Weston extremist convicted of sharing terrorist materials
Gabriel Budasz was convicted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court
A 24-year-old extremist who talked online about making firearms with 3D printers and buying materials for them from Tesco has been convicted of sharing terrorist material online.
Gabriel Budasz, born in Poland but who lives in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was convicted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of one count of dissemination of a terrorist publication and four counts of encouraging terrorism.
He was also found guilty of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
He also previously pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
A Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) spokeswoman said: "On August 1 2023 officers executed a search warrant at the home of Budasz.
"Various items of an extreme right-wing nature including books, masks and memorabilia were seized along with a 3D printed firearm, Budasz's mobile and computer devices.
"The 24-year-old was found to have a video related to making an explosive device and shared with others a different video, which was also about making an explosive device."
"continued pattern of encouraging terrorism"
Prosecutor Maryam Syed KC told the trial that Budasz used a number of social media sites under different usernames to post extreme right-wing material, such as on Telegram, Omegle and Odysee, and expressed "extreme racist views against black and Jewish people, and encouraged others to direct action against them".
Miss Syed said: "This defendant has a particular MO - modus operandi - of posting videos in which he advocated, we say, violence and extreme Nazi and right-wing views, extreme views, which we say demonstrate a clear and continued pattern of encouraging terrorism, whilst being in possession of information which would facilitate the same."
One video shared on a Telegram channel was sent as an attachment to a message saying he thought it would be "very educational for everyone here" so they do not accidentally make a bomb.
Giving evidence, Budasz, who is diagnosed with autism and Asperger's syndrome, claimed the videos that he posted online were meant to be funny and from the point of view of a "comedic" far-right character.
Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of CTPSE, said: "Budasz shared documents and video footage with others, including details on how to make explosives.
"The material contained his extreme right-wing views encouraging violence to further the hateful ideology which he espoused.
"Making this kind of content available online spreads and encourages terrorist ideology, and is incredibly dangerous to those vulnerable to radicalisation.
"Unfortunately, the harm that can be caused by those who seek to provoke violence online to further their cause has been only too evident across the country in recent weeks.
"This case should serve as a warning to others that we will continue to take robust action against those who commit these serious and harmful offences."
Budasz was remanded in custody until he is to be sentenced on October 25.