RADICAL preacher Anjem Choudary appeared in court yesterday accused of three offences related to a banned terrorist organisation.
The trained lawyer, 56, allegedly conspired to resurrect the Islamic al-Muhajiroun group.
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He is charged with directing the Islamic Thinkers’ Society — said to have, in effect, been a replacement for the outlawed al-Muhajiroun.
He is also accused of membership of a banned organisation and addressing meetings “seeking to encourage support for a proscribed organisation”.
Choudary, of Ilford, East London, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Full Sutton, Yorks. He spoke only to confirm his name.
Choudary’s barrister Kate O’Raghallaigh told the court Choudary’s solicitors had met with him only once, via video link, since August when Choudary was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to HMP Full Sutton.
She said: “Since September we have been trying to arrange a legal visit via video link and we were offered a single visit on 20 October which was cancelled by the prison at late notice.
“We were offered another [visit] on 21 November and that is currently the only visit booked.”
He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear for a pre-trial and preparation hearing on January 5.