Radical preacher seeks to overturn unprecedented jail term - what's next?
A well-known religious figure challenges his recent life-sentence given for leading an outlawed group. The appeal comes just months after a major international investigation led to his conviction
Anjem Choudary‚ a controversial religious figure has started appeal proceedings against his life-term prison sentence (which was given to him about three months ago)
The 57-year old preacher whose influence made many people turn to extreme beliefs‚ got his sentence in 07/2024 for managing a banned group; his time served means heʼll stay locked-up till heʼs 85 years-old
A terror-studies specialist Anthony Glees from Buckingham University thinks its a waste of money: “No-one has any doubt that Choudary spreads dangerous ideas and society needs protection from his toxic views“
The court found him guilty of being a stand-in leader for Al-Muhajiroun while its head was in jail; he also did web-talks for Islamic Thinkers Society - which prosecutors say was just another name for the same group. Police from UK US and Canada worked on this case together
His ex-guard Abu Izzadeen (who got 4.5 years for terror-related crimes in 08) said: “The sentence is too big - some double-murderers get less time“
The prosecutor Tom Little described him as having a messed-up way of thinking. When Omar Bakri Muhammad (who started the group) was in Lebanese jail from 14 to 03/23‚ Choudary took control - this happened while under-cover cops were watching the groups online chats in 22-23
