LONDON (AP) — Radical British preacher Aneem Choudhary was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for leading a terror group. Choudhary had been convicted just days earlier at Woolwich Crown Court of being a member of the banned radical Islamic group Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) and inciting support for the group.
Judge Mark Wall said Choudhary, 57, was a “central figure in running a terrorist organisation” and “inciting young people to radicalise”.
ALM was outlawed by the UK government in 2010 for being involved in the commission, preparation and promotion of terrorism.
Prosecutor Tom Little said Choudary had a “warped and twisted mindset” and took on the role of leading ALM after the group’s founder, Omar Bakri Mohammed, was imprisoned in Lebanon from 2014 until March 2023.
Choudhary, who was previously convicted of supporting the Islamic State, denied at his trial that he promoted ALM through his speeches and said the group no longer exists.
Ajem Choudhary was sentenced to life in prison for leading a terrorist group.
It follows a historic joint investigation by the Metropolitan police and MI5. @Terrorism Police, New York PDCT and translation: To bring Chaudhary to justice.
read more:https://t.co/Vo97DwKDkx https://t.co/a4RcxnoECW
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 30, 2024
According to the ruling, Choudhary must serve at least 28 years in prison.
Prosecutors said the group has operated under a number of names, including the New York-based Society of Islamic Thinkers, which Choudhary spoke about.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner said the case was historic, as the Society for Islamic Thinkers is the U.S. branch of ALM.
Choudhary was convicted along with one of the group’s followers, Khaled Hussein, who prosecutors said was a staunch supporter.
Hussain, 29, from Edmonton, Canada, was convicted of being a member of a banned organisation.
The two were arrested a year ago when Hussein arrived at Heathrow Airport.
Islamophobic preacher Ajem Choudhary convicted of leading a terror grouphttps://t.co/Kx48ba60gY
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 23, 2024
