Police have been criticised by a watchdog body for their handling of a complaint by an Aberdeen trainee doctor who was cleared of terror charges.
Yousif Badri, 31, was facing the possibility of spending more than five years in jail after detectives detained him, amid fears he was planning a terror outrage.
It was claimed he was spreading a “unique” Al-Qaeda slogan online.
But the aspiring doctor complained that officers had completely misinterpreted the situation during their probe.
The force has now been ordered by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to explain to Mr Badri why they thought what he claimed was a standard Arabic saying, used by millions around the world, was a terror catchphrase.
The case against Mr Badri, which saw him accused of being involved in conduct “with the intention of committing acts of terrorism”, unravelled in court two years ago, prompting him to launch a legal riposte.
He submitted a 14-page complaint about the investigation in January 2016, and he has only just received a reply, which he maintains doesn’t address his grievances.
Mr Badri said: “The whole police probe was woeful and points to real holes in the knowledge about the training Police Scotland officers have – and their capacity – to investigate terror offences.
“They don’t seem to understand the basics about Islam or extremism.”
Mr Badri was stunned to be accused of posting a tweet containing what was believed to be a terror slogan used exclusively by Al-Qaeda in their magazine, Inspire.
Experts retorted the phrase – “Whoever feels safe from punishment misbehaves” – was actually an Arabic proverb which is in everyday use in the Muslim world.
The charges, relating to the “Al-Qaeda slogan”, were dropped before going to court, yet the Crown continued to pursue a case against Mr Badri.
Trial judge Lord Turnbull told the jury he “wholeheartedly agreed” when they returned a not guilty verdict at the High Court in Glasgow in October 2015.
But Mr Badri believes he has still been targeted by Police Scotland officers.
He also argued he was detained at a British airport by another police force and quizzed on his stance on terrorism last January.
It’s one of three complaints the PIRC has concluded Police Scotland should now review.
It has also been asked to address the confusion over the “Al-Qaeda slogan” and whether its officers have adequate “knowledge and training” to deal with terror offences.
Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs, head of professional standards at Police Scotland, said: “We fully comply with all recommendations and directions from the PIRC, and are doing so fully in this case.”
