The Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been found guilty of directing the terrorist group al-Muhajiroun (ALM) and mobilizing international support for the banned organization through online platforms. Choudary’s conviction follows a trial at Woolwich Crown Court in South London, where it was determined that he held a “caretaker role” in directing ALM.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Choudary directed ALM from 2014 onwards and actively encouraged support for the group by participating in online meetings with the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS). Choudary, a 57-year-old resident of Ilford in East London, delivered lectures to ITS, which prosecutors argued functioned similarly to ALM.
Choudary’s notoriety in the UK stems from his frequent media appearances and provocative actions, such as protesting at the funerals of British soldiers. Security experts have suggested that Choudary’s influence contributed to the radicalization of numerous British jihadists. Despite his activities, Choudary, who is a trained solicitor, managed to stay within the legal limits until his 2016 conviction for supporting Islamic State. He served half of a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence before being released on licence.
Choudary’s licence conditions expired in July 2021, and by June 2022, he began hosting online lectures for ITS. Between June 2022 and April 2023, he conducted approximately 40 lectures or classes for the group. However, unbeknownst to Choudary, undercover law enforcement officers from the US had infiltrated ITS and attended these online lectures, held on the Element messaging platform.
Although ALM was proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK in 2010, it was revealed in court that the group continued to operate under various aliases. The conviction of Choudary is the result of extensive investigations by the Metropolitan Police, the New York Police Department (NYPD), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter-Terrorism Command, emphasized Choudary’s significant impact on public safety and security. He noted that individuals influenced by Choudary have been involved in terrorist attacks or have traveled for terrorist purposes.
At a press conference, Murphy highlighted the global reach of ALM, stating: “ALM’s tentacles have spread across the world and have had a massive impact on public safety and security.” Rebecca Weiner, an NYPD deputy commissioner, described the case as “historic” and called Choudary a “shameless, prolific radicaliser.” She stressed the importance of bringing leaders like Choudary to justice, noting that typically it is the lower-level operatives who face prosecution.
Omar Bakri Muhammad, who founded ALM, was imprisoned in Lebanon from 2014 until March 2023, during which Choudary assumed leadership and maintained the group’s operations. Khaled Hussein, 29, identified as a “follower and dedicated supporter” of Choudary, was also found guilty of being a member of ALM.
Choudary was convicted of directing a terrorist organization and encouraging support for a proscribed group. Both he and Hussein are scheduled to be sentenced on July 30.
