Jury out in trial of Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary

Choudary, who was convicted of supporting the so-called Islamic State in 2016, is accused of taking a ‘caretaker role’ in directing Al-Muhajiroun.

Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary is accused of directing a terrorist organisation (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Wire)

A jury has retired to consider verdicts in the trial of Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary who is accused of directing a terrorist organisation.

Choudary, who was convicted of supporting the so-called Islamic State in 2016, is accused of taking a “caretaker role” in directing Al-Muhajiroun (ALM), as well as being a member of the banned organisation and encouraging support for it through online meetings.

The 57-year-old, of Ilford, east London, is said to have given lectures to the New York-based Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS), which prosecutors allege was “the same” as ALM.

ALM was proscribed as a terror organisation in the UK in 2010, though it is said the group has continued to exist under various names.

Shortly after 3pm on Thursday, Judge Mr Justice Wall sent the jury out to begin deliberating on verdicts at Woolwich Crown Court.

During the trial, Choudary denied inviting support to ALM through lectures to ITS because the group “didn’t exist”.

Also on trial is Khaled Hussein, 29, whom prosecutors say was a “follower and dedicated supporter” of Choudary.

He has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM while Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17 of last year while Hussein, from Canada, was detained at Heathrow Airport having arrived on a flight the same day.

The jury was sent home by Mr Justice Wall at 4.15pm on Thursday and will resume its deliberations at 10am on Friday.