Kochi: A special NIA court has sentenced eight individuals to eight years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the Islamic State (IS) recruitment case. The court found the accused guilty of attempting to recruit youth from Kerala and Tamil Nadu into the banned terrorist organisation during 2017–2018.

Among the convicted are Tamil Nadu natives Mohammad Azharuddin and Sheikh Hidayathullah, who were found guilty earlier, with sentencing delivered on Monday. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the group used social media platforms to propagate IS ideology and provided training to recruits in both states.

The prosecution successfully proved charges under three sections, including Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for promoting IS ideology, and Section 120B of the IPC for criminal conspiracy.

Azharuddin and Hidayathullah are also accused in a separate blast case in Tamil Nadu, for which trial proceedings are ongoing. The NIA has established links between the two cases.