Set free today, hate preacher who ‘got more radical in jail’

‘He sees himself as a martyr’

‘Commit acts of violence’

ANJEM Choudary walks free today despite becoming ‘hardened’ in jail and more determined than ever to spread his toxic Islamist propaganda.

The hate preacher’s already militant views became ‘far more extreme and aggressive’ while locked up and he now regards himself as a ‘martyr’, according to those who met him in prison.

And he is plotting to ‘circumvent’ strict control orders aimed at stopping him spreading his message that has radicalised hundreds of disaffected young Muslims and helped incite dozens of murders, it was alleged.

Choudary is being released to a probation hostel after serving half his sentence for swearing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State – despite security experts warning the ‘Pied Piper of jihad’ would inspire more terror attacks.

However, he will be subject to a huge security operation, including surveillance teams, monitoring devices and demands that he adhere to up to 25 rules controlling his activities.

Choudary, 51, a married father of five, is one of Britain’s most notorious firebrand clerics. He was jailed for five-and-a-half years for inviting support for IS, but is due for automatic release after serving half his sentence. The release came as:

Campaigners said he remained ‘ Britain’s most dangerous extremist’ after research showed he is already linked to over 120 Islamist terrorists.

It was revealed that the huge security surrounding him is estimated to cost the taxpayer more than £2million a year – compared to the £50,000 to keep him in jail.

An imam who has met Choudary in jail suggested he had used human rights laws to be placed in a half-way house in North London – close to where he used to preach – by claiming he had to be near his children.

The release is a landmark moment for the Government, which is still reeling from a string of atrocities which left more than 30 dead last year.

The preacher, who once led banned group Al-Muhajiroun, was sentenced in 2016. Fiyaz Mughal, head of anti-extremist group Faith Matters, has spoken to the imam who was brought into jail to try to deradicalise him.

‘Choudary was put in containment that stops him engaging with other prisoners, but also given pastoral care to see if they could get through to him,’ he said. ‘I asked the guy who spoke to him if the de-radicalisation programme had worked and he said, “No, he’s got worse. He’s hardened”. He speaks in the mind-set of the victim. He sees himself as a martyr the state tried to silence.’

Choudary does not plan to directly challenge the conditions of his release, but instead is working out ways to get round them, Mr Mughal said.

‘He’s said things like, “If someone wants to upload my videos I’m not going to stop them”.’

Mr Mughal added: ‘He should have served the full term. It’s a terrible day for victims of the attacks he has helped incite.

‘We need a change in the law so that anyone named as the inciter in two terrorist attacks should automatically serve the full sentence.’

Dr Michael Kenney, of the University of Pittsburgh, who followed Al-Muhajiroun for five years for his research, said its followers were ‘very excited’ about his release.

They had been dormant following his arrest, but are now expected to try to ‘rebuild and revitalise’, he said.

And he warned it was ‘entirely possible’ that more of his followers would turn to terrorism, like Khuram Butt, who was part of last year’s London Bridge terror attack and Lee Rigby killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.

Security expert Professor Anthony Glees, of Buckingham University, said: ‘ He is charismatic and a very gifted orator – he is the Pied Piper of Jihad.

‘Those who are vulnerable to his warped messages will see him as a hero … who has been through the fire of imprisonment.’

Security sources say Choudary’s conviction has raised his credibility among fanatics. In the past, his desire not to go to prison and, what was seen in some quarters as his cowardice by not going to Syria, raised suspicions that he was a stooge for the security services. Cam- paign group Hope not Hate found he has been directly or indirectly linked to at least 123 Islamist terrorists.

‘Anjem Choudary will remain the most dangerous extremist in Britain today,’ said Nick Lowles, chief executive. ‘This is a man who has inspired dozens to commit acts of violence.’

The security operation will include surveillance teams, monitoring devices and demands that Choudary adhere to up to 25 rules. He also faces being targeted by UN sanctions to freeze his assets, prevent him travelling and even enforce ‘arms embargo provisions’.

Theresa May yesterday insisted safeguards were place to protect people from him.