Hate preacher Anjem Choudary free to take his message back onto British streets

RADICAL preacher Anjem Choudary won the right to attend extremist Islamic street stalls - just in time for Christmas, a judge ruled yesterday.

Anjem Choudary preaches in LondonPA

Anjem Choudary has had his stall ban lifted

Choudary is on police bail after he was arrested for allegedly being a member of a proscribed group.

Among strict bail conditions, the 47-year-old was banned from attending so-called Da’Wah stalls which proselytise and preach Islam.

District Judge Howard Riddle announced yesterday the condition will be scrapped after December 18.

In a ruling at London Westminster Magistrates Court, he said: “I understand the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s argument that such stalls have been misused to spread extremist literature.

“It is said that the Da’wah stall is a primary means by which the group has historically found recruits.

“The use of the Da’Wah stall is a significant part of the current investigation.

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“However, it is also accepted that a Da’wah stall has an ostensible purpose to spread the word of Islam and to proselytise.

“In short, it has an important religious function. Religious freedom is of very considerable significance.

“The matters that have tipped the balance against extending such a condition beyond mid-December are: the lack of any specific evidence or information provided to me that any of these individuals have misused the Da’wah stall; the length of the investigation; and more importantly the fact that the applicants are suspects and have not been charged.”

Mr Riddle upheld other conditions meaning Choudary and six other people arrested with him cannot have their passports returned; cannot apply for international travel documents; and cannot to contact co-suspects.

Choudary, who dismissed his arrest as politically motivated, has not been charged with any offence.

The proscribed organisation is believed to be Al- Muhajiroun.

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