Britain: Preacher Anjem Choudary convicted of running extremist group

A jury in London on Tuesday convicted British preacher Anjem Choudary of running an extremist group.

Choudary, 57, was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of being a member of a banned organisation, the Islamist group al-Muhajiroun, for mobilising support for it. 

Prosecutors said the group operates under several names, including the New York-based Society of Islamic Thinkers, where Choudary has spoken.

Choudary, along with one of his followers, Khalid Hussain, 29, of Edmonton, Canada, were convicted of belonging to the group.

The two were arrested a year ago after Hussein arrived at Heathrow Airport, and the verdict will be announced on July 30.

According to British media, "the British government banned the group in 2010 for its involvement in, preparation for and promotion of terrorism."

Choudary had previously been convicted of supporting ISIS, but during the trial he denied promoting al-Muhajiroun in his lectures, saying it no longer existed.

The Islamic Thinkers Society was an American branch of Al-Muhajiroun, said New York City Assistant Police Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, who called the lawsuit historic.