Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been found guilty of directing terror group Al-Muhajiroun and encouraging support for it through online meetings. Choudary, 57, is facing life in jail after being convicted of directing a terrorist organization following an unprecedented joint investigation by MI5, Scotland Yard, the NYPD, and Canadian police. He had previously been released early from a five-year sentence for inviting support for ISIS in October 2018, but his license conditions prevented him from using the internet until July 2021. Within days of the conditions expiring, he began issuing press releases on WhatsApp and Telegram from his home in Ilford, East London. In a year, he delivered over 40 lectures, some to a small, selected circle, but others with an audience of up to 150 from as far away as Brazil and Afghanistan.
Choudary had taken over as the leader of Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) after its previous leader, Omar Bakri Muhammad, fled to Lebanon. Police in Britain, the US, and Canada had been running separate investigations as they became concerned that Choudary was seeking to recruit a new generation of younger followers. Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner from the New York Police Department (NYPD) described Choudary as a ‘shamelessly prolific radicalizer’ and emphasized that the threat remained despite changing names and years passing.
British prosecutors had to prove that Choudary had continued to run ALM even after Bakri Muhammad fled to Lebanon following the 7/7 bombings in 2005. Choudary had helped found the group in 1996, which reappeared under various other names in an attempt to circumvent anti-terrorism laws, including Islam4UK and Muslims Against Crusades. Choudary had been linked to numerous terrorists, including Michael Adebolajo, the killer of Fusilier Lee Rigby, and Khuram Butt, the leader of the London Bridge attacks.
During his trial, Choudary admitted to performing the wedding ceremony for Adebolajo and being present when he converted to Islam. Two American undercover officers flew to London to give evidence, describing how they joined a video conference call using the Element messenger platform. Choudary had been boasting about being labeled ‘the number one radicalizer in Britain’ and showing pride in being considered an extremist and fanatic.
Choudary’s activities extended beyond the UK, with Khalid Hussein, a member of the Islamic Thinkers Society in Canada, creating an online magazine called al-Aseer and working with Choudary. Choudary faced charges of directing a terrorist organization and encouraging support for a proscribed organization, while Hussein was found guilty of membership in a proscribed organization. Choudary continued to engage with followers globally, utilizing technology to reach larger groups of people and maintaining influence over younger individuals.
The international investigation into Choudary highlighted the borderless nature of the threat posed by individuals like him. Choudary’s reach extended to the US, where members or associates of the Islamic Thinkers Society were convicted of supporting terrorism. The group’s activities had global implications, with branches abroad contributing to radicalization and terrorist acts in Europe and beyond. Choudary’s online presence and ability to connect with followers worldwide underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating terrorism in the digital age.
Choudary’s role in radicalizing individuals was evident in cases where his followers went on to commit terrorist acts or travel for terrorist purposes. His influence extended to young people, with an increasing number of teenagers becoming involved in terrorist investigations. The impact of Choudary’s teachings on vulnerable individuals, including the encouragement of violence and support for extremist ideologies, raised concerns among law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The trial of Anjem Choudary and the subsequent conviction for directing a terrorist organization marked a significant milestone in the fight against extremism. Choudary’s ability to attract followers and spread radical ideologies through online platforms highlighted the challenges posed by individuals like him in the digital age. The case served as a reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of international cooperation in addressing transnational terrorist networks.
Overall, the conviction of Anjem Choudary for directing a terrorist organization underscored the complex and evolving nature of the terrorism threat. The case highlighted the significance of online radicalization and the need for coordinated efforts to combat extremist ideologies. Choudary’s activities and influence over a new generation of followers served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in countering terrorism and protecting communities from violent extremism.
