Anjem Choudary released on bail as preacher faces charges of encouraging support for Isis

Freed on bail: Anjem Choudary
EPA/ANDY RAIN
Paul Cheston4 September 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Radical preacher Anjem Choudary who is charged with encouraging support for the Islamic State has been freed by an Old Bailey judge on conditional bail.

Choudary, 48, is accused of inviting support for a proscribed organisation between June 2014 and March 2015.

He appeared via videolink from high security Belmarsh prison today alongside Mohammed Rahman who is facing the same charge.

It is alleged Choudary and Rahman publicised support for Isis and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi through lectures published online, the court has heard.

Dressed in a white ankle-length robe, the married father of five, who lives in Ilford, has previously told the court he intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Rahman, 31 of Whitechapel who is also expected to plead not guilty, was also granted conditional bail.

Mr Justice Saunders imposed conditions on both men.

Said the judge: “I am not persuaded that in either case there are substantial grounds for believing that either defendant will fail to surrender to custody.

“While I accept points made by the prosecution, they are both men who are settled in this country, they have families to support and with the conditions that are suggested I think it is unlikely that they will attempt to abscond.

“I have been much more concerned to whether there are substantial grounds for believing that they will commit further offences.

“I am concerned about anything being disseminated publicly by either of them or on their behalf which would encourage others to go to live in Syria as part of their religious duties.

“I have not found this an easy decision but I do consider that the conditions of bail proposed will substantially reduce the risk of dissemination of those views.

“Accordingly I am prepared to grant bail but it is important that compliance with the conditions are carefully monitored and if there is a breach the defendant concerned is to be arrested and brought before me or another judge as soon as possible.”

Later reporting restrictions were lifted on the 10 bail conditions imposed on Choudary and Rahman. They are: To live at an address supplied to the court and the prosecution; to be tagged under an electronic curfew from 9pm to 7am; not to associate with each other or others who were arrested with them in September 2014; not to attend or organise any demonstration; not to possess any international travel document; not to enter any port or attempt to leave the country; not to use or possess any internet enabled device; not to post anything on any social media platform or incite or encourage anyone else to do so; not to be in company of more than 2 associates (other than family members), apart from attending Friday Prayers at a mosque, where they may not associate with any one else; a surety of £15,000 from each defendant.

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