A radical Islamic preacher was released on Friday from a British prison after serving less than half of a five and a half year prison sentence for encouraging support for the Islamic State group.
Anjem Choudary, 51, left the high security Belmarsh prison in southeast London, but will be subject to strict supervision. Prime Minister Theresa May said authorities were equipped to supervise Choudary.
Choudary, from Ilford in east London, is expected to wear an electronic tag, face a night-time curfew and be barred from contacting anyone who has been charged with extremist-related offences unless he receives prior approval from authorities. He qualified for early release because of time served before his conviction. In addition, Choudary’s name has been added to a UN sanctions list, which means the government can freeze his assets and bar him from travelling.
Choudary has been one of the most high-profile faces of radical Islam in Britain for years. Several people who attended his rallies have been convicted of violent attacks, including the two al-Qaida-inspired killers, who ran over British soldier Lee Rigby and stabbed him to death in 2013.
