Anjem Choudary appears in court over three alleged terror offences
From the Waltham Forest Guardian
Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has appeared in court over three terror offences relating to banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun. The 57-year-old is accused of directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.
He was set to enter a plea at the Old Bailey on Friday morning but this was put back. Appearing in grey prison uniform over video link, the preacher spoke only to confirm his identity during the hearing which lasted around one hour.
An earlier hearing was told Choudary had provided lectures to the Islamic Thinkers Society, which prosecutors said is Al-Muhajiroun “for all intents and purposes”. (I think, therefore I bomb?) Al-Muhajiroun has been banned in the UK since 2010 but it is alleged the group has continued to exist under various names.
He was remanded in custody for his next court appearance in March. A provisional trial, which is expected to last up to eight weeks, has been fixed for May 20 at Kingston Crown Court.
Hussein, who lives in Canada, is charged with membership of Al-Muhajiroun but did not appear at the hearing on Friday. His lawyer was content for proceedings to continue in his absence.