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Radical UK cleric Anjem Choudary jailed for 5.5yrs for supporting ISIS | Radical UK cleric Anjem Choudary jailed for 5.5yrs for supporting ISIS |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hate preacher Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being convicted of drumming up support for Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). | Hate preacher Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being convicted of drumming up support for Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). |
The 49-year-old British-born leader of outlawed group al-Muhajiroun posted a series of YouTube videos recognizing the “caliphate” created by IS in the territories of Iraq and Syria. | The 49-year-old British-born leader of outlawed group al-Muhajiroun posted a series of YouTube videos recognizing the “caliphate” created by IS in the territories of Iraq and Syria. |
At sentencing at the Old Bailey, Choudary and his co-defendant Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, who received the same sentence, were found guilty of inviting support for IS between June 29, 2014 and March 6, 2015 and remanded into custody. | At sentencing at the Old Bailey, Choudary and his co-defendant Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, who received the same sentence, were found guilty of inviting support for IS between June 29, 2014 and March 6, 2015 and remanded into custody. |
As Choudary was sentenced, his supporters in the public gallery shouted “Allahu Akbar.” | As Choudary was sentenced, his supporters in the public gallery shouted “Allahu Akbar.” |
During the trial, Justice Holroyde said the pair failed to condemn the barbaric acts of IS. | During the trial, Justice Holroyde said the pair failed to condemn the barbaric acts of IS. |
“You did nothing to condemn any aspect of what ISIS was doing at the time. In that way you indirectly encouraged violent terrorist activity. | “You did nothing to condemn any aspect of what ISIS was doing at the time. In that way you indirectly encouraged violent terrorist activity. |
“You are both mature men and intelligent men who knew throughout exactly what you were doing. You are both fluent and persuasive speakers.” | “You are both mature men and intelligent men who knew throughout exactly what you were doing. You are both fluent and persuasive speakers.” |
He described Choudary as “calculating,” while Rahman was simply a “hothead,” albeit equally dangerous and remorseless. | He described Choudary as “calculating,” while Rahman was simply a “hothead,” albeit equally dangerous and remorseless. |
Despite leading al-Muhajiroun, Choudary had kept on the right side of the law for 20 years. | Despite leading al-Muhajiroun, Choudary had kept on the right side of the law for 20 years. |
However, his enthusiastic videos in support of IS gave police cause to arrest him under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. | However, his enthusiastic videos in support of IS gave police cause to arrest him under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. |
Details of the case could not be reported until last month due to legal restrictions. | Details of the case could not be reported until last month due to legal restrictions. |
Choudary and his organization have been blamed by counter-terrorism experts for radicalizing hundreds of people, including Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered soldier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich Royal Artillery Barracks in 2013. | Choudary and his organization have been blamed by counter-terrorism experts for radicalizing hundreds of people, including Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered soldier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich Royal Artillery Barracks in 2013. |
Choudary was last seen in public while on bail in April, ordering a meal from a north London McDonald’s. A picture of the sharia law-supporting preacher was released on Tuesday, showing Choudary holding a loaded tray at the counter. | |
“Considering he hates everything about the West, and is also meant to only eat at halal places, he is clearly a hypocrite. I had heard of this guy before and I was a bit surprised given what he preaches so I took a picture of it,” a witness said. | |
“I live in Luton and he is often there preaching and I have seen him numerous times. There was a couple of people that also recognized him. He had a disagreement with someone there, but I don’t know what they were saying.” |