Far-Right Extremist and Former Cadet Terrorized Schoolgirls with Threats and Hate
Dihan Rahman, a 19-year-old former Army cadet consumed by far-right ideology and Islamic State sympathies, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for orchestrating a chilling campaign of stalking and threats against two schoolgirls. His disturbing actions included collecting bomb-making tutorials and menacing plans for a Valentine’s Day school shooting.
Neo-Nazi Salutes, Nooses, and Online Stalking
At just 17, Rahman posed for selfies giving a Nazi salute and brandishing a noose. He publicly shared personal information of two female students and a teacher as part of an obsessive stalking campaign. Rahman’s extremist views intertwined intense misogyny, Incel ideology, and virulent anti-Semitism fueled by neo-Nazi propaganda.
He explicitly threatened to disrupt his school’s prom and even plotted a massacre, broadcasting these menacing intentions on Snapchat and TikTok. His electronic devices revealed a disturbing blend of extremist content—from the far right to Islamic State materials—uniting in hatred toward women and Jewish people, according to prosecutor Serena Gates KC.
Trusted Right-Wing Telegram Admin with a Dark Online Footprint
Court proceedings exposed Rahman’s role as a “trusted” administrator in an extreme right-wing Telegram network, where he masqueraded as a white youth to gain credibility. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges: three counts of stalking, three counts of possessing indecent images, and three counts of possessing documents useful for terrorism—among them detailed guides on creating TATP explosives and pipe bombs.
Judge Delivers Stern Sentence for Prolonged, Calculated Terror
At the Old Bailey, Judge Simon Mayo KC underscored the severity and persistence of Rahman’s actions, emphasizing the deliberate and concealed nature of his campaign. The judge sentenced him to four-and-a-half years imprisonment, followed by a three-year extended licence period.
“This was no momentary lapse in judgment,” the judge declared. “Your stalking was persistent, calculated, and highly intrusive, continuing even after police intervention and bail conditions.”
Devastating Impact on Victims and School Community
The stalking inflicted deep psychological harm on the two young women, forcing them into constant fear, altering their daily lives, and causing social withdrawal. Their education suffered dramatically. The school prom faced two relocations and heightened security measures, and one victim ultimately switched colleges. Both continue to battle anxiety and diminished self-confidence.
“No sentence can erase the anxiety, fear, and psychological damage you caused,” the judge added, acknowledging Rahman’s autism spectrum disorder, emotional immaturity, and social isolation but affirming these did not excuse his criminal conduct.
Timeline of Harrowing Abuse and Threats
The court heard that Rahman’s troubling behavior escalated throughout 2023. It began with covertly photographing one of the girls and her friends, followed by relentless “spamming” of her social media accounts. After being banned from the cadet base, he publicly declared plans to “ruin prom,” prompting the school to shift venues twice.
When a teacher intervened, she confiscated Rahman’s phone, uncovering images of him in uniform holding a noose and wearing a headscarf with messages threatening a Valentine’s Day shooting. Additional photos displayed symbols of hate, including Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and graphic violence against women.
Jurors saw Rahman in military fatigues performing a Nazi salute and holding a green cord tied as a noose—visual proof of his radicalization and dangerous mindset.
Repeated Breaches and Arrests
Rahman was first arrested on March 15, 2024, and released on bail with strict conditions barring contact with the victims. He flagrantly violated these terms. Authorities re-arrested him in November 2025 after discovering he performed 83 online searches related to one of the girls in that month alone. He remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
Conclusion: A Stark Warning Against Online Radicalization
This case starkly illustrates the dangers posed by extremist radicalization among vulnerable youth, combining far-right hatred, misogyny, and terrorist tactics. Rahman’s calculated terror campaign devastated his victims and rattled his school community, earning him a substantial prison sentence that reflects the grave threat such ideologies represent.
