UK: Islamist preacher sentenced to life in prison

Radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary received a life sentence on Tuesday for directing a terrorist organization. Choudary was found guilty of being the leader of “al-Muhajiroun,” a group aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate in the UK. The British government designated the group as a terrorist organization in 2010.

Choudary’s Involvement in High-Profile Attacks

Members of al-Muhajiroun were linked to significant terrorist attacks, including the 2013 murder of British soldier Lee Rigby and the London Bridge attacks in 2017 and 2019. Judge Mark Wall, at London’s Woolwich Crown Court, stated, “Organizations such as yours normalize violence in support of an ideological cause.” He emphasized that such groups embolden individuals to commit acts they might not otherwise undertake, driving a wedge between communities that could live in peaceful coexistence.

A Lengthy Sentence for a Prolific Radicalizer

Choudary’s life sentence includes a minimum term of 28 years, meaning he will not be eligible for release until he is at least 85 years old. The judge noted that this lengthy term was necessary due to Choudary’s role in encouraging young men to engage in radical activities. Previously, Choudary had been sentenced to five and a half years in prison in 2016 for promoting support for the Islamic State group, but he was released early in 2018.

Undercover Operations and Continued Activity

Choudary’s recent arrest followed an American undercover operation that revealed al-Muhajiroun was still active under various names, including the New York-based “Islamic Thinkers Society.” These findings led to further police investigations in Britain and Canada. New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner described Choudary’s conviction as “historic” due to his senior position and called him a “shameless, prolific radicalizer.”

“It is usually the foot soldiers, the individuals brought into the network who go on to commit the attacks, who are brought to justice,” Weiner told reporters. This conviction marks a significant step in dismantling the leadership of such extremist networks.