Radical UK Preacher Anjem Choudary Charged With Encouraging Support for IS

About 10 years overdue, but at least it's happening

Vice News
By Charlotte Meredith

Anjem Choudary, one of Britain's most prominent radical preachers has been charged with inviting support for Islamic State militants under section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000.

The 48-year-old is due to appear at magistrates court in London on Wednesday, facing a charge of inviting support for a "proscribed organization," or group that is banned within the UK, between June 29, 2014 and March 6 this year, Scotland Yard has revealed.

Choudary and another man, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, have each been charged with one offence. It is alleged the pair publicized support for the Islamic State group (also known as ISIS) through lectures published online, the BBC reported.

The Terrorism Act 2000 says that a person commits an offense if they invite "support for a proscribed organisation, and the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money or other property." If found guilty, a person can face up to 10 years in jail.

Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said in a statement: "Following an investigation by the Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism command, we have today authorized charges against Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.

"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and both men have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."