An international police investigation involving the UK’s Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) and North American law enforcement agencies has resulted in the conviction of notorious Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary for directing a banned terrorist group, according to a press release.
Choudary, 57, from East London, was found guilty on Tuesday, 23 July of directing a terrorist organisation, membership of a proscribed organisation, and encouraging support for a terrorist organisation after a six-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
Khaleed Hussein, 29, from Edmonton, Canada, was also convicted of membership of a proscribed organisation.
Anjem Choudary, 57, East London
The joint investigation, which included MI5, Scotland Yard, the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), uncovered Choudary’s extensive efforts to radicalise individuals globally. Following his early release from a five-year sentence for inviting support for ISIS in October 2018, Choudary resumed his activities online as soon as his internet restrictions expired in July 2021.
Within days of his licence conditions expiring, Choudary began issuing press releases on WhatsApp and Telegram from his home in Ilford, East London. Over the course of a year, he delivered more than 40 lectures, reaching audiences as far away as Brazil and Afghanistan. Law enforcement agencies in the UK, US, and Canada grew increasingly concerned that Choudary was seeking to recruit a new generation of younger followers.
Choudary’s conviction follows an unprecedented international collaboration. Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, highlighted the significance of this effort, stating, “These convictions come as a result of some truly remarkable work – not only here in the UK by Counter Terrorism police and our colleagues in MI5, but also from the incredibly brave work of undercover officers both in the US and Canada.”
The investigation revealed that Choudary was directing the banned terrorist group Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) through online lectures and encrypted platforms. Evidence gathered by undercover officers from the NYPD and RCMP was crucial in proving the link between ALM and another group, the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which Choudary was using to continue his activities.
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Ulam Weiner of the NYPD described Choudary as a “shamelessly prolific radicaliser,” noting that despite changes in names and years, the threat he posed remained constant. “Anjem Choudary spent decades radicalising individuals around the world and has now been brought to justice thanks to relentless collaboration across multiple agencies and countries,” she said.
Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland of the RCMP spoke of the importance of international cooperation in combating extremism: “This investigation is truly an example of how information and intelligence sharing and collaboration between countries is vital to stopping the spread of online extremism and radicalization.”
Choudary and Hussein were arrested in July 2023 after extensive monitoring and evidence gathering, which included over 100 hours of audio and video content and the assessment of more than 16,000 documents. The pair are due to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on 30 July.
The investigation underscores the ongoing commitment of international law enforcement agencies to countering the threat of terrorism through cooperation and intelligence sharing. As Commander Murphy stated, “Choudary is now facing a significant sentence. I have no doubt that these convictions have left communities here in London, but also right across the UK and beyond, much safer.”
I’m interested to understand why US and Canada were needed to convict someone in the UK.
It’s good news his been stopped but suspicious it required more than just uk police/security services.
I understand his using encrypted messaging channels but if it’s broadcasting internationally, surely it’s just a matter of joining the groups and taking screenshot.
History suggests, unfortunately, the UK Police don’t do anything unless they being repeatedly kicked up the backside by the US.
I don’t buy that, uk police don’t care about us police, the uk police is generally neutral to polcitcs outside the MET. If US had enough evidence they would have issued an international arrest warrant (we have a one sided extroditon treaty with the US that they pinky swear will sign their side any day now) but it seems they didn’t.
Just seems odd.
Look closer to home, as in 10 Downing Street.
Not sure they have much interest in the police outside the MET. The courts are meant to be sovereign to parliament after all. The MET is odd as the government appoints the head.
I’m not so sure, look at what happened at Manchester Airport the police were just trying to do their duty. Violence broke out and the media were quick to blame the officer and the police suspended him to appease the angry mob.
In the latest video, you can see that the so-called victim who got kicked/stomped on had earlier assaulted 3 police officers. he was tased and on the ground when the kick happened. Easy to set the narrative when you conveniently leave out all the facts.
The Police in the UK are restrained by the fear of being labeled institutionally racist / Islamophobic, so yes identity politics and victimhood culture, and virtue signalling are often used to counter law enforcement.
And the facts, and history, demonstrate that you are totally and completely wrong!
if labour should do anything for the nation it would be to dispel the feeling that we are a 51st state
Because the RCMP had Choudhary’s co-conspirator under investigation for being an accomplice in Edmonton, Alberta. This would have the RCMP engage the UK authorities.
5 eyes and all.
If I read correctly the prosecution isn’t linked to actual cases, it’s linked to ensighting terror (wasnt he already procecused for previous cases). Whilst I will sleep saver knowing his off the board, I’m just curious why cross border.
Make no mistake, there are forces at work in this country which are working hard to destroy our national (western) culture. Not only must justice be done, it must be seen to be done.
Too little, too late.
He radicalised the killers of Lee Rigby.
Oh yes. They forget to mention political interference because they fear upsetting some people.
I fear the damage has already been done letting him continue for so long.
I also read suggestions he was left in place by the SS intentionally.
Hi M8, To be honest I think it all makes sense, they knew he would do this so why not use him to lure out others who are open to being radicalised. As for why this is a cross border operation he was essentially targeting North America from the U.K, so not involving the cousins would be a very bad idea.
In fact I suspect it was a very good idea as our sentencing regime is somewhat limited compared to the US.
I’m willing to bet that after sentencing we get an extradition request from the US and he ends up with Abu Hamza in Florence Supermax.
Oh yes, I can see why they’d do that. There are even suggestions he was a SS asset. Bigger catch, don’t jump too soon, slowly slowly catchy monkey and all that. ( A saying BTW, before anyone foreign gets all stupid and fake insulted with supposed racist undertones ) 🙄
Yes, let him rot in the US.
😉
🙏
The enemy is already within our towns and cities by the millions
Rubbish! Inaccurate bigoted nonsense!
I won’t accuse Levi’s of being bigoted. His comment provocative but as they say, there’s no smoke without fire. What’s needed is realism. Look across the Channel and observed the French have clearly failed to successfully assimilate their Muslim citizens into the Republic. We have a time bomb on our hands and we need to defuse it. The Prevent program is defusing the bomb after its gone off. A way has to be found to respectfully and peacefully integrate Islam into western culture. Take note of behaviours during the election campaign – overt intimidation of several candidate MPs. I suspect that’s one on the main reasons the labour govt is proposing a standardisation and revamp of the school curriculum to include more emphasis on sport, music, creative arts and vocational subjects. Doing this will improve motivation, inclusivity and character formation. Its a good lesson to learn how to play in a team and how to lose gracefully. We see some UK Muslim footballers and cricketers but not many at Wimbledon or dancing at the ballet or in the Royal Philharmonic or displaying their work in art galleries.
So you’ve the Lt Col being stabbed in Chatham, apparently by an immigrant.
Was interested that there was no article about it here, despite the defence connection, safety of our personnel.
Then you’ve got the 2 Muslim lads beating up armed police in Manchester. The copper didn’t need to boot the guy in the head, but I’m not surprised he did in the heat of the moment with a fight like that. Cue demonstrations in Rochdale, if all places, about “race”
Bollocks, just armed police trying to do their job.
And at this moment, rumours are circulating that’s it’s another Muslim immigrant who has just run amok in Southport stabbing kids.
And people wonder WHY so many are hopping bloody mad at this crap?
Time bomb???
Quite. It was good to see Andy Burnham step in so quickly to ask ‘people’ not to rush to judgement on the Manchester airport incident. The official establishment line seems to be that we don’t want to turn these incidents into a war of civilisations. Good luck with that – great idea in principle. But I’m reminded of the deal that Christian King Alfred is supposed to have offered the Heathen Danes after he had defeated them at Edington- you are welcome to stay 😉on condition you get baptised.
Have they trotted out the good old “mental illness” story yet, like they did with the soldier?
I forgot to add the riot in Leeds.
The clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson ( scourge of the woke brigade) was once asked if he believed in the existence of God. He replied that he wasn’t sure, but that he behaved as though He did. It’s tempting to believe we are seeing a complete breakdown of cultural and behavioural norms: lots people seem to think they can do what they want: spike drinks and assault women, grind the M25 to a halt for days and commit criminal damage to ‘stop oil’, accuse and threaten MPs because they are angry at some perceived injustice half a world away, assault the police. I was really pleased to see the stop oil protesters go to jail fir 5 years. Brilliant !
Ah yes, they have. Local news is reporting a Somalian asylum seeker who arrived on a boat with “mental health issues”
Tick.
Was on an Mi5 watch list. If true, I put no blame on the Security Service whatsoever.
Were the riots in Leeds, down the Romania gipsy’s ?
Was reported as Roma, yes. The police took some children into care, which caused the trouble.
Thought so, a group of people who don’t help themselves quite often
Levi is spot on here!
Millions? No, certainly in the hundreds and possibly thousands though.
Now take him on a helicopter ride.
A bit drastic, I’ve long advocating offshoring a percentage of our long term prison population. I hear the Philippines have an interesting approach to rehabilitation and if you’re worried about prisoner treatment what about a nice First World country. Like Israel. 😉
He is convicted of Directing a terrorist organization, Membership of a proscribed organization, and Encouraging support for a terrorist organization. He’s a convicted terrorist. It doesn’t sound like he has the best intent of innocent people in mind. I also said nothing apart from a helicopter ride, you inferred that. Maybe you should condemn him.
The question is how many more are in the UK what we don’t know about? Or how many are ready to cross the channel 🚣 🙄
The SS are reportedly watching many, many hundreds. But surveillance is personnel intensive and they have to prioritise.
Yes, allowing so many economic migrants in and being unable to verify their identify can lead to radicalized islamists at large.
Indefinite jail term would surely fit here.
Indefinite jail terms are a supreme waste of money. It also creates a class of prisoners that have nothing to loose. It creates more problems than it solves.
If you don’t want the guy around, put him 6 foot down.
What do you do with people like Choudary?
He was born in the UK and has all the privileges of of living in a safe country with the freedom to practice his beliefs yet he he preaches hatred and disgust about Western values.
In the last year, we have seen the rise of sectarianism to the extent that certain communities care more about Gaza than local/national issues and cast their vote accordingly.
I am wondering if there should be more treason laws for the likes of extremists like Choudary.
Fancy a bet ? I think he will follow the Abu Hamza route. He gets sentenced on Tuesday and we get an extradition request from the US shortly afterwards. Then we waste a ton of money whilst his appeals go through and after a few years he’s put on a plane to US.
A quick trial in a Federal court followed by a permanent cell in ADX Florence.
I’d not heard of ADX till you mentioned.
It’s fun reading about how it works, the regime they use and who they have locked up.
What I found enlightening was the local community funded the land to build it on. They see it as jobs boost and good for their local economy.
Try that one here 🤔
Yes, I noted that one too! Middle of nowhere I assume?
One amongst many already here and no longer in hiding. This cost how much? We can’t afford what this ‘vibrant community’ brings to our country. When I typed ‘our’ I was being sarcastic obviously.
these people should be removed to their precious country and shut down the place that they were using to peddle their poison get tough on this kind of thing and it’s time to close and demolish the roots of the hat Finsbury park mosque should be shut and torn down. it’s name comes up too often in this business
the MET couldn’t find it’s own backside with two has and a torch.