In a riveting turn of events, Anjem Choudary, Britain’s once most prominent radical Islamist preacher, has been apprehended and hit with a trio of terrorism-related charges. As revealed in a Metropolitan police statement, the 56-year-old Anjem Choudary, known for his ties to the banned extremist group, al-Muhajiroun, stands accused of terrorist organization membership and leadership, as well as incitement at public gatherings to support illicit associations.

This comes as a stunning development for a figurehead previously sentenced for endorsing Islamic State and served time in prison from 2016 to 2018.

Anjem Choudary, infamous for lauding the instigators of the 9/11 attacks and expressing ambitions of turning Buckingham Palace into a mosque, was arrested last week alongside Canadian Khaled Hussein, 28, who likewise faces charges of proscribed organization membership. The detentions were part of a Met counter-terrorism investigation into suspected association with banned outfits, with Anjem Choudary’s arrest taking place in east London, while Khaled Hussein was detained at Heathrow Airport upon arrival.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) informed the court that Anjem Choudary had been giving lectures to small groups online, advocating for an Islamic State in Britain since June 2022. It was also reported that Hussein was functioning effectively as Anjem Choudary’s associate in Canada. CPS representative, Nick Price, emphasized that both accused have the right to a fair trial, and cautioned against any public discourse potentially influencing the legal proceedings.

The duo is now slated to appear before the Old Bailey court in London on August 4, under the watchful gaze of Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.

  al-Muhajiroun, Anjem Choudary, Crown Prosecution Service, Khaled Hussein, London, United Kingdom