The Islamist preacher, Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison for his role in directing a terrorist organization.
Choudary, 57, from Ilford in east London, was convicted last week of directing al-Muhajiroun (ALM) and promoting support for it through online meetings.
With a strong background in founding and managing companies, he played a pivotal role in establishing ALM in 1996 and dedicated almost three decades to overseeing its operations, even as it underwent numerous name changes.
There is evidence that certain individuals have been connected to a total of 21 terrorist plots. Additionally, it has been reported that high-ranking members of the group traveled to Syria, where Siddhartha Dhar and Reza Haque allegedly joined an ISIS execution squad.
Choudary had connections with Woolwich killer Michael Adebolajo, London Bridge terrorist Khuram Butt, and Fishmongers’ Hall attacker Usman Khan.
The author praised the 9/11 attacks as a significant event in history, while Omar Bakri Muhammad, the leader of the group, referred to the 7/7 attackers as the “fantastic four” before leaving the UK in August 2005, stating that he had disbanded the organization nine months prior.
After Bakri’s imprisonment in Lebanon in May 2014, Choudary assumed leadership, only to face his own arrest and subsequent imprisonment four months later for promoting support for ISIS.
His license conditions expired in July 2021, and he started the process of rebuilding the organization. In just one year, he delivered over 40 lectures to audiences of up to 150 people worldwide. Additionally, he directly communicated with recruits as young as 14 through platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Police departments in various countries conducted separate investigations.
Authorities in Britain, the US, and Canada were conducting independent investigations due to their growing concerns about Choudary’s efforts to attract a younger generation of followers.
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner from the New York Police Department (NYPD) discussed the deployment of their highly skilled undercover officers to London to provide testimony against Choudary, a notorious radicalizer.
The NYPD had assigned two undercover officers, known as OP488 and OP377, to infiltrate the Islamic Thinkers Society, a branch located in New York.
On June 12, 2022, Choudary proudly announced that a sizable number of people had become shaheed alhamdulillah (martyrs, praise God), according to the NYPD’s undercover officers who recorded his initial address.
He proudly declared that he had been given the title of “the number one radicalizer in Britain,” stating that it was a source of pride for him. I proudly wear a medallion on my chest. What would you like to refer to me as? A radical? Enthusiast? All of these.”
In a separate recording on June 26th, Choudary confidently stated, “We have a knack for avoiding prosecution, you know.” In this country, no one has ever faced prosecution for being a member of al-Muhajiroun.
During a conversation with members of the Islamic Thinkers Society on March 26 last year, he suggested the establishment of various “platforms.”. He mentioned that they ended up having numerous platforms, some of which were listed in the Terrorist Act, while there were even more that they used to utilize. He referred to this as a style and means, brother.
He also motivated his followers to “combat the crusaders” and emphasized on February 19 last year: “Without a doubt, jihad is our duty.”
A week later, on February 26, Choudary addressed his audience with a thought-provoking question: “Is terrorism part of the deen [faith]? Yes, what’s even more unsettling is that this aspect of the deen is meant to shock and unsettle people.
During a conversation with his wife, Rubina Akhtar, on March 22, last year, Choudary mentioned that al-Muhajiroun has made a significant impact and will be remembered in history. The impact was truly remarkable, reaching across the globe.
Last year, on April 30, Choudary was caught on covert listening devices providing updates to Bakri, who had recently been released from jail. He sought advice on the group’s members and their next course of action.
He discussed his position as Bakri’s deputy and how he had assumed the responsibility of being the leader’s caretaker.
Khalid Hussein, 29, a member of the Islamic Thinkers Society residing in Edmonton, Canada, assisted Choudary in managing an online magazine known as al-Aseer [the prisoners].
Hussein, who was employed at a Co-Op petrol station and convenience store, contacted Choudary on July 16 last year to schedule a meeting with him during his trip through London en route to Turkey to meet a Russian bride.
Choudary provided some helpful recommendations for exploring south London, such as visiting the iconic Cutty Sark, enjoying the beautiful Greenwich Park, and exploring the charming nearby shopping areas.
He also mentioned that Woolwich, specifically the Lee Rigby issue, is not too far away.
Choudary was apprehended upon Hussein’s arrival from Canada on July 17 of the previous year.
During the police interview, he maintained that his lectures had no connection to al-Muhajiroun. He clarified that when he used terms like ‘us’ or ‘we’, he was referring solely to himself and discussing his personal experiences and the people in the UK. I never address them using those pronouns under any circumstances.
He was convicted of leading a terrorist organization and promoting support for a banned group.
Hussein was convicted of being a part of a banned group.
Commander Dominic Murphy, the head of Scotland Yard’s Counter-Terrorism Command, stated that Anjem Choudary has been a significant figure in counter-terrorism for more than three decades.
“His reputation as a radicalizer is widely acknowledged, and the truth is that his influence has led to individuals carrying out terrorist attacks or traveling for terrorist purposes.”