Muslim Activist Anjem Choudary Freed On Bail

Controversial preacher Anjem Choudary, who is awaiting trial accused of inviting support for the terror group Islamic State, is being released from custody.

Choudary 48, has been on remand at Belmarsh high security prison in London since being charged on 5 August.

The East London-based activist appeared by video link at an Old Bailey hearing before Judge Mr Justice Saunders.

It is alleged that Choudary committed an offence related to Islamic State's status as a "proscribed terrorist organisation" - support for the group is banned in the UK.

He is charged with Mohammed Rahman, 32, of Whitechapel, east London, who is also accused of inviting support for IS.

Rahman, who has also been on remand since his arrest, appeared alongside Choudary at the same hearing and was also granted bail.

The charges both men face relate to their alleged activities between 29 June 2014 and 6 March this year.

The prosecution claims Choudary and Rahman publicised support for IS and leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi through lectures published online.

Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 states that a person commits an offence if they invite "support for a proscribed organisation, and the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money or other property".

The Home Office moved to ban Islamic State, which it calls Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in June last year.

The two men are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in January next year.