Global investigation leads to Anjem Choudary conviction

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.”