By Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary, 57, was convicted Tuesday by a London jury of directing a terrorist group, marking a significant victory in the fight against Islamic extremism in the UK. The verdict was delivered at Woolwich Crown Court, where Choudary was found guilty of membership in and drumming up support for al-Muhajiroun (ALM), a banned radical Muslim organization.
ALM, outlawed by the British government in 2010 for its involvement in terrorism, has been described by Metropolitan Police Commander Dominic Murphy as having “tentacles spread across the world” with a “massive impact on public safety and security.” Prosecutor Tom Little characterized Choudary as having a “warped and twisted mindset.”
The trial revealed that Choudary had stepped in to lead ALM after the group’s founder, Omar Bakri Muhammad, was imprisoned in Lebanon between 2014 and March 2023. Despite Choudary’s claims that ALM no longer exists, prosecutors successfully argued that the group has operated under various names, including the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society.
New York Police Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner called the case historic, noting the rarity of bringing a group’s leader to justice rather than just its “foot soldiers.” Choudary was convicted alongside Khaled Hussein, 29, of Edmonton, Canada, who was found guilty of membership in a proscribed organization.
This conviction follows Choudary’s previous conviction for supporting the Islamic State group, underscoring the ongoing challenge of combating radical Islamic networks in the UK and globally. Sentencing for Choudary and Hussein is scheduled for July 30, with the verdict expected to have far-reaching implications for counter-terrorism efforts.
The case highlights the persistent threat of homegrown extremism and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorist networks. As authorities continue to grapple with the evolving landscape of radical ideologies, this conviction serves as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist organizations and their leadership structures.
