British Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to life in prison for directing the banned “terrorist organisation” al-Muhajiroun (ALM). Choudary, 57, was convicted of encouraging support for violent ideology and normalizing violence through online meetings. The judge handed down a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years before parole eligibility. Choudary became the leader of ALM after its original leader was jailed, and evidence showed he was directing the group from the US via online lectures. His follower, Khaled Hussein, was also sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement. Choudary had previously been imprisoned in 2016 for supporting ISIL (ISIS). The group ALM, which has been active since the late 1990s, has been connected to various attacks. The UK, US, and Canada collaborated on the investigation and prosecution of Choudary, with the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society being named as ALM’s US branch. The case was deemed historic by New York Deputy Police Commissioner Rebecca Weiner. Choudary’s lawyer argued that the group was inactive and most attacks linked to it had already occurred. Choudary’s conviction highlights the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and extremist ideologies.
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Anjem Choudary receives life imprisonment for leading ‘terrorist’ organization – Courts News
