Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary denies two terror offences

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Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has pleaded not guilty to two terror offences relating to banned organisation Al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

The 57-year-old, of Ilford, east London, is accused of being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation.

He appeared via video link from HMP Full Sutton at the Old Bailey on Monday to deny the two charges.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17 last year, while a second suspect, Khaled Hussein, was detained at Heathrow having arrived on a flight the same day.

Hussein, 29, of Canada, also appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs and pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM.

They will appear at Kingston Crown Court for trial, estimated to last six to eight weeks, on June 4.

An earlier hearing was told Choudary had addressed meetings of the Islamic Thinkers Society, which prosecutors said is ALM “for all intents and purposes”.

Choudary will reappear at the Old Bailey for a further hearing on April 23.

Proscription is the banning of an organisation based on an assessment that it commits or participates in, prepares for, promotes or encourages, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism, according to the Home Office.