Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary faces trial in May on terrorism charges

LONDON (AP) — The trial of radical British preacher Anjem Choudary on charges of leading a terrorist organization will begin in May next year, a judge said Friday.

Choudary, 56, is also charged with two other charges under the Terrorism Act: membership in a banned organization, the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun, and attending meetings to encourage support for the organization over the past year. .

The British government banned Al-Muhajiroun in 2010. Since then, the group has operated under many names, including the Society of Islamic Thinkers, prosecutors said.

Choudary, a high-profile Islamist preacher, appeared for his preliminary hearing at the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, via video link from a jail in Yorkshire. Choudary, with a gray beard and glasses, wore a white robe.

A co-defendant, Khaled Hussein, 28, a Canadian citizen, appeared on video from a south London jail.

Hussein, from Edmonton, Alberta, is accused of belonging to al-Muhajiroun. Prosecutors said he worked online with Choudary to provide a platform for the group’s views.

Neither pleaded guilty and each only spoke to confirm their identities.

Judge Jeremy Baker has scheduled a January 5 plea hearing and a May 20 tentative trial date at Kingston Crown Court.