The United Kingdom banned the Muslim group al-Muhajiroun as a terror group in 2010, though it soon re-emerged under new names, including the Islamic Thinkers Society.
Prosecutors allege that Anjem Choudary, 56, violated the Terrorism Act when he gave lectures for the group on such subjects as creating an Islamic state in Britain.
He was arrested on July 17 and charged on July 24. His co-defendant, Khaled Hussein, 28, was also arrested on July 17 after flying in from Canada. Hussein is accused of aiding Choudary in creating an online platform for the promotion of the group’s radical Islamist political ideology.
Neither man entered a plea. Both will be held at least until their next hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 4.
He was arrested on terrorism charges at his east London home during a dawn police raid.” On July 24, police report Choudary had been charged with membership in a proscribed organization, directing a terrorist organization, and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organization,” said the Counter extremism project.
In the last 15 years, through frequent media appearances, Choudary established himself as one of the most prominent voices advocating Islamic radicalism in the United Kingdom. He was previously convicted of supporting the Islamic State in September 2016 and released in October 2018, serving half of a five-year, six-month sentence.
Prosecutors allege Choudary gave lectures for the Islamic Thinkers Society “on the establishment of an Islamic state in Britain and how to radicalize people,” the BBC reported.
He was charged alongside with Canadian national Khaled Hussein, 28, who was arrested at Heathrow Airport the same day after arriving at a flight. The United States designated Choudary a terrorist in March 2017.
“Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary may proscribe an organization if they believe it is concerned in terrorism,” said the UK government website.
Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager
