Try GOLD - Free
Anjem Choudary given life sentence for running banned terrorist group
The Guardian
|July 31, 2024
A judge jailed the Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary for life yesterday for running a banned terrorist organisation, telling him: "I cannot foresee a time when you will cease to be dangerous." Choudary was convicted in Woolwich crown court in south London last week of having a "caretaker role" in directing al-Muhajiroun (ALM) from 2014 after its founder, Omar Bakri Muhammad, was imprisoned in Lebanon.
Choudary, 57, of Ilford, east London, also encouraged support for the group by addressing online meetings of the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which Mr Justice Wall said was "a veil behind which al-Muhajiroun operated".
Sentencing Choudary, Wall said that the preacher had acted as the caretaker of ALM until about 2023, interrupted by his imprisonment in 2016 for his activities supporting Islamic State and when he was on licence from 2018 to July 2021 on his release from jail.
Choudary's 2016 conviction brought to an end his seeming impunity from legal punishment over two decades in which he became notorious for his media appearances and controversial actions such as protesting at soldiers' funerals.
This story is from the July 31, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'A most shocking day'
Historic arrest on a rainy winter morning
5 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Rovers on top of the world after resisting Brisbane fightback
Hull KR are champions of the rugby league world for the first time in their history, after holding off a late rally from the NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos to win a first World Club Challenge.
3 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Scars of past title near-misses run deep for Arsenal
Late Wolves leveller means seven dropped points from winning positions in 2026 - but Saka rejects pressure talk
3 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
King says 'law must take its course' after Andrew arrest
Former prince freed 'under investigation' last night, say police Misconduct in public office allegations at centre of inquiry
4 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Man arrested after two teenagers are found dead at holiday park
A man has been arrested after two teenagers were found dead at a holiday park on the Yorkshire coast in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, police said yesterday.
1 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
UK police Nine forces investigating Epstein ties
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested yesterday after years of mounting controversy over his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
2 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Retailer eBay buys Depop for $1.2bn as it tries to lure young buyers
The online retailer eBay has agreed to buy the British secondhand fashion resale app Depop from Etsy for about $1.2bn (£890m) in cash, as eBay targets younger fashion-loving consumers.
2 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Gunners lead clubs striving to keep disabled fans in the game
The Emirates Stadium has made huge strides improving facilities to ensure the needs of all supporters are met
4 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
Bullying claims from 2017 dog Starmer's new civil service chief
Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Antonia Romeo as the country’s most senior civil servant has prompted dismay among former colleagues who complained about what they considered bullying behaviour when she was a diplomat in New York.
3 mins
February 20, 2026
The Guardian
FBI investigated Giuffre's claims against Andrew in 2011, files show
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been on the radar of US law enforcement for nearly 15 years, documents released by the US Department of Justice have revealed.
3 mins
February 20, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size