Cleric Bakri arrested in Beirut
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lebanese security officials refused to say when and where Bakri was arrested.
Prosecutors and police in Britain are considering whether to bring terror-related charges against the so-called "Tottenham Ayatollah".
It was unclear whether the arrest was linked with his activities in the UK.
Bakri provoked outrage last week when he said he would not inform police if he knew Muslims were planning a bomb attack.
He left Britain, where he has lived for 20 years, on Saturday and travelled to the Lebanon to see his mother, his spokesman has said.
The preacher - spiritual leader of the soon-to-be-banned al-Muhajiroun group - said he planned to return to London in about four weeks.
But on Tuesday it emerged that immigration rules could be tightened within weeks to bar him from setting foot in the country again.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott admitted the Government was currently impotent to stop him returning, although he made his own feelings clear.
"As I understand it, he has not committed an offence under the existing legislation. I just say enjoy your holiday, make it a long one," Mr Prescott said.
The Attorney General's office said at the weekend that the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police were considering reviving the ancient offence of treason to prosecute Bakri and two other Muslim clerics.
However, this has since been denied by Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC, and dismissed as unlikely by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC.
Bakri is Syrian, but his wife's family is Lebanese and he has citizenship in both Syria and Lebanon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments