Mehdi Masroor Biswas had two more Twitter, 3 email accounts, say police

BENGALURU: Police believe that the role of Mehdi Masroor Biswas, arrested for operating a pro-ISIS Twitter handle, went beyond mere tweeting and re-tweeting messages.

Investigations reveal the 24-year-old propagandist of the global terror outfit had two other Twitter accounts, besides the two that landed him in trouble. He was initially believed to have Twitter handles @ShamiWitness and @ElSaltador. Mehdi, however, claimed to have forgotten the passwords to the other two Twitter accounts, sources privy to the investigation said.

Mehdi is learnt to have had three email accounts and used them regularly to be in touch with supporters of his Twitter accounts, sources said. But the suspect is believed to have deflected further queries, claiming he does not remember the passwords for email accounts as well.

"We don't believe in what Mehdi says. He is trying to stop us from accessing his email and Twitter accounts. It looks like he has sent and received many emails regarding ISIS and its activists. There is no reason for Mehdi to prevent us from opening these five accounts, particularly the three mail accounts," an investigating official told.

Highly placed police sources told TOI they will take Mehdi to Maharashtra for more questioning. "Three men were in regular contact with Mehdi in the recent past. They are hardcore ISIS activists in constant touch with prime operatives in Syria," the sources said.