Anjem Choudary, a 57-year-old resident of Ilford, London, has been convicted for leading the banned Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) and promoting its activities through online platforms.

Choudary's leadership of ALM has been linked to at least fifteen terrorist attacks in the UK and abroad, including high-profile incidents such as the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby in 2013.

Despite claims of disbandment, prosecutors revealed that ALM continues to operate under various names, including the Islamic Thinkers Society, which has ties to the United States.

Choudary and another individual were arrested in July 2023 following a collaborative investigation involving British, New York, and Canadian police forces.

During sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, Justice Mark Wall described Choudary as a central figure in a terrorist organization that encouraged radical activities among young men.

The judge condemned Choudary's views as 'entrenched and abhorrent,' emphasizing the risks posed by his organization and its normalization of violence for ideological purposes.

NYPD deputy commissioner Rebecca Weiner labeled the case as historic, highlighting the rarity of holding a leader accountable for terrorism instead of just the foot soldiers.

Choudary's defense argued that by the time he took over ALM, the organization was significantly weakened and not actively recruiting new members.

A co-defendant was also sentenced to five years for membership in ALM, underscoring the court's commitment to targeting leaders of terrorist groups.

ALM has been banned in the UK since 2010, yet it continues to exist under various names, as noted during the trial.

After his release from prison in 2018, Choudary resumed his online activities with the Islamic Thinkers Society, furthering the reach of his banned organization.