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Preacher Anjem Choudary charged with encouraging support for Islamic State Preacher Anjem Choudary charged with encouraging support for Islamic State
(about 1 hour later)
Radical preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with encouraging support for Islamic State, Scotland Yard has said.Radical preacher Anjem Choudary has been charged with encouraging support for Islamic State, Scotland Yard has said.
Choudary, 48, of Ilford, faces a charge of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, namely Isis.Choudary, 48, of Ilford, faces a charge of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, namely Isis.
It is alleged he committed the offence between 29 June 2014 and 6 March 2015.It is alleged he committed the offence between 29 June 2014 and 6 March 2015.
Another man, Mohammed Rahman, 31, faces the same charge.Another man, Mohammed Rahman, 31, faces the same charge.
Choudary will appear at Westminster magistrates court at 2pm on Wednesday.Choudary will appear at Westminster magistrates court at 2pm on Wednesday.
It is alleged Choudary and Rahman publicised support for Islamic State (Isis) through lectures published online.It is alleged Choudary and Rahman publicised support for Islamic State (Isis) through lectures published online.
Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Following an investigation by the Metropolitan police’s counter-terrorism command, we have today authorised charges against Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Following an investigation by the Metropolitan police’s counter-terrorism command, we have today authorised charges against Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.
“We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman for inviting support for Isil, a proscribed terrorist organisation, between 29 June 2014 and 6 March this year. Each man is charged with one offence contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.“We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman for inviting support for Isil, a proscribed terrorist organisation, between 29 June 2014 and 6 March this year. Each man is charged with one offence contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
“It is alleged that Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman invited support for Isis in individual lectures which were subsequently published online. “It is alleged that Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman invited support for Isis in individual lectures which were subsequently published online.”
“Criminal proceedings have now commenced and both men have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.” Choudary was one of the founder members of the Islamist group al-Muhajiroun which formed in 1996 under the charismatic leadership of Omar Bakri Mohammed.
The group held rallies and events which attracted hundreds of young Muslims and Choudary, who at one point trained as a lawyer, was appointed Bakri’s deputy. Soon after, he proclaimed himself a sharia scholar.
The Home Office banned the group in 2010. Choudary went on on to form several successor organisations such as al Ghurabaa and Islam4UK, which were also proscribed.
In the last year, he has been giving audio lectures on the internet through video chat site Paltalk, and quietly advertised through WhatsApp and on his Twitter feeds.