Anjem Choudary appears in court charged with three terrorism offences

Radical preacher accused of directing a terrorist organisation

Anjem Choudary was arrested by police in East London last week. Reuters

Anjem Choudary has been charged with three terrorism offences, including directing a terrorist group, police in London said.

The 56-year-old preacher was arrested in East London last week by counter-terrorism officers who also arrested a 28-year-old man at Heathrow Airport.

The Metropolitan Police on Sunday charged Mr Choudary with being a member of a proscribed organisation, addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and directing a terrorist operation.

The case relates to “an extreme form of Islam”, the court heard, with the defendant linked to Al Muhajiroun, a group which has been outlawed in the UK since 2010. It has continued under “many names and guises”, the court heard.

Mr Choudary is alleged to have provided lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society, which is Al Muhajiroun “for all intents and purposes”, the court heard.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a black jacket and glasses, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was not asked to enter any pleas to the alleged offending during the hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes.

Khaled Hussein, with an address in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, appeared separately at the court charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

His lawyer said he would not be entering any pleas.

Mr Hussein spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in a Canadian accent during a 10-minute separate hearing.

He is alleged to have been in “close contact” with Mr Choudary online to provide “a platform” for the group’s views for around two years.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded the two men into custody until they appear at the Old Bailey on August 4.

Nick Price, from the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: “The CPS has authorised charges in relation to Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein under the Terrorism Act.

“The charges relate to the proscribed organisation Al Muhajiroun, also known as the Islamic Thinkers Society.

“Criminal proceedings against Mr Choudary and Mr Hussein are now active and they each have the right to a fair trial.”

Police detained Mr Hussein, a Canadian citizen, after he had flown into Heathrow Airport on July 17.

Mr Choudary, a British-Pakistani who lives in Ilford, East London, was arrested on the same day.

The pair were held under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.