Ali Maychou was a U.S.-and U.N.-designated radical imam and senior leader in Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliated group in Mali. A Moroccan, Maychou joined al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in 2012 before co-founding JNIM with Iyad Ag Ghaly and masterminding its expansion in the Sahel in March of 2017.“In Central Mali, Civilian Populations Are Caught Between Terrorism and Counterterrorism,” Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme, November 2018, https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/fidh_centre-of-mali_population-sized-between-terrorism-and-counter-terrorism_727_en_november2018.pdf. Maychou along with his brother, Youssef Maychou, led a network that recruited and sent Moroccan fighters to northern Mali via Libya.“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou. It was reported that Maychou was killed by French forces in an operation in Mali on October 9, 2019.“France claims death of top jihadist leader in Mali,” France 24, November 5, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20191105-france-claims-death-of-top-jihadist-leader-in-mali.
In May 2012, Ali Maychou joined the ranks of al-Mourabitoun, headed by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, and became a member of its religious police. In October 2012, he went to Timbuktu, at that time under the control of AQIM. He provided theological training to around 60 fighters, who were placed under the orders of Djamel Akkacha (a.k.a. Yahia Abou el Hammam).“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou.
After Operation Serval in 2014—a French military offensive to rout armed rebels and Islamist militants from Mali’s northern territories“France in Mali: A year of hunting jihadists in West Africa,” France 24, Janaury 11, 2014, https://www.france24.com/en/20140111-france-mali-military-intervention-operation-serval-anniversary-timeline.—Maychou took refuge in Ajdabiya, where he worked to establish contacts between AQIM and Libyan radical groups.“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou. Maychou then served as the main media personality of AQIM in the Sahel. He made multiple statements, published by Al-Andalus, the media agency of AQIM. On January 20, 2017, Ali Maychou claimed, in an audio message, responsibility for the attack perpetrated on January 18, 2017 inside the camp of the MOC (Mécanisme Opérationnel de Coordination) in Gao which led to the death of over 50 people.“Al-Qaeda affiliate claims Mali car bomb attack in Gao,” BBC News, January 18, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38663693. The camp hosts elements of the Malian Armed Forces and members of the Platform and Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) who take part in mixed patrols, as put forward by the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou.
On March 1, 2017, Maychou appeared alongside Ag Ghaly, Yahya Abou Al Hamem of AQIM, Abu Hassan al-Ansari of Al-Mourabitoune, and Amadou Kouffa of the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), to announce the merger of their jihadist groups into a single movement, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Mouslimin (JNIM).“In Central Mali, Civilian Populations Are Caught Between Terrorism and Counterterrorism,” Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’Homme, November 2018, https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/fidh_centre-of-mali_population-sized-between-terrorism-and-counter-terrorism_727_en_november2018.pdf.
On July 16, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in concert with the Department of State, designated Bah Ag Moussa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.“Terrorist Designation of Ali Maychou,” U.S. Department of State, July 16, 2019, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-ali-maychou/. On August 14, 2019, the United Nations ISIL (Da’esh) and al Qaeda Sanctions Committee imposed sanctions against Bah Ag Moussa pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2368 (2017) as being associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida and otherwise supporting the groups’ acts or activities.“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou.
On November 5, 2019, Florence Parly, France’s Minister for the Armed Forces, announced that French forces killed Ali Maychou in an operation inside Mali in early October. No other details are reported regarding the specifics of Maychou’s death.“France claims death of top jihadist leader in Mali,” France 24, November 5, 2019, https://www.france24.com/en/20191105-france-claims-death-of-top-jihadist-leader-in-mali.
On July 16, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in concert with the Department of State, designates Ali Maychou as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.“Terrorist Designation of Ali Maychou,” U.S. Department of State, July 16, 2019, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designation-of-ali-maychou/.
On August 14, 2019, the ISIL (Da’esh) and al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions against Ali Maychou pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2368 (2017) as being associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida and otherwise supporting the groups’ acts or activities.“Ali Maychou,” United Nations Security Council, August 14, 2019, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/ali-maychou.
Thomas Osadzinski of Chicago, Illinois, is accused of creating a first-of-its-kind computer code to copy, save, and distribute ISIS content online to preserve it in case of deletion by the platform’s administrators. Osadzinski is a student at DePaul University in Chicago, where he studies computer science and software development.Tom Cleary, “Thomas Osadzinski: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know,” Heavy, November 20, 2019, https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/thomas-osadzinski/. The FBI arrested him on November 18, 2019. He faces up to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Illinois, “Chicago Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/chicago-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isis.
According to the criminal complaint against him, Osadzinski designed a computer script that directed bots—customizable third-party applications—on a social media platform to copy and save ISIS propaganda in order to better disseminate that material to ISIS supporters.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. The complaint referred to the platform in question only as “Social Media Platform 1.” Based on the description of the platform in the complaint, analysts believe that the encrypted chat program is likely Telegram.Tom Cleary, “Thomas Osadzinski: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know,” Heavy, November 20, 2019, https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/thomas-osadzinski/; Seamus Hughes, Twitter post, November 19, 2019, 4:29 p.m., https://twitter.com/SeamusHughes/status/1196903408902516737. Throughout 2019, Osadzinski discussed and shared his program with undercover FBI agents whom he believed to be ISIS supporters.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.
Osadzinski called his plan “Operation: Heralds of the Internet” in a document he assembled outlining his goals. According to that document, the operation was intended to bring “people to Islam and teach everyone the transgressions of the Crusaders and how the Islamic State’s response to transgressions self-defense.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. According to the document, Osadzinski sought to specifically include content from ISIS propaganda outlets “al-Furqan,” “al-I’tisam,” “Office of Media Productions for the Wilayat of The Islamic State,” “al-HimmahOffice,” and “Nasheed channels.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.
The FBI began monitoring Osadzinski in 2018 after he entered a specific chat titled “Weapons” on the undisclosed social media platform on June 6. He shared an image about ingredients for the explosive TATP and then discussed with others in the chat how to acquire TATP. Osadzinski then engaged with an undercover FBI agent who was also in the chat. Osadzinski told the agent that the “mukharabat”—Arabic for state security—were watching him, so he had to remain quiet for the time being.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 11-12, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. In February 2019, Osadzinski began translating Arabic to English for a pro-ISIS media organization on the platform that he connected with through a second undercover FBI agent. Osadzinski discussed with the agent how he was editing translations of ISIS videos. Osadzinski continued to offer his assistance to the agent, telling him that sometimes he is busy but “jihad is always more important than relaxing and games.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 14-16, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.
Osadzinski told the FBI agent in March 2019 that he was developing a computer code to help copy and save ISIS propaganda on the chat platform.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 19, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. On August 16, 2019, Osadzinski sent the undercover agent the “Operation: Heralds of the Internet” document outlining his plan.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 11, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. On October 8, 2019, and again on October 10, Osadzinski met in person in Chicago with an FBI confidential human source he had begun online communications with earlier that year. Osadzinski demonstrated how his software worked and discussed a new project to share ISIS videos using the computer programming language Python. Osadzinski called his project to preserve ISIS content “the highest form of jihad.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 33-37, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.
On November 2, 2019, Osadzinski pledged allegiance to ISIS’s new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 38, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. The FBI arrested Osadzinski on November 18, 2019, in Chicago on a charge of attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization. He faces up to 20 years in prison.U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Illinois, “Chicago Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/chicago-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isis. At Osadzinski’s preliminary hearing on November 19, 2019, his attorney requested that he be released in order to take his final exams later that week. The magistrate judge ordered Osadzinski to be held without bail.Jason Meisner, “DePaul student wrote computer code to help spread ISIS propaganda online, feds charge,” Chicago Tribune, November 19, 2019, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-chicago-college-student-terrorism-charges-20191119-ag5cmgewsfcd3fqqebrdnl3mge-story.html.
Abu Walaa is a radical Islamic preacher based in Hildensheim, Germany. He preached at the Deutschsprachiger Islamkreis Hildesheim eV (DIK) mosque from its founding in 2012 until his arrest in 2016. The mosque has since been shut down. Walaa’s lectures were popularized through online videos released through Facebook.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html; “Trial of German 'IS Leader' Begins,” Gulf, September 27, 2017, https://www.gulf-times.com/story/565273/Trial-of-German-IS-leader-begins. Walaa claimed to be teaching an “authentic understanding of Islam” through his online speeches, videos, and texts.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html. He became known as “preacher without a face,” as he hid his face from the camera during his viral teachings. The Facebook page where Walaa posted his sermons had more than 25,000 followers at its peak around 2015 to 2016.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html.
Walaa arrived in Germany in 2001 as a teenager from Iraq.“Germany Puts on Trial 'Abu Walaa,' Radical Preacher and Accused IS Recruiter,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2017, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-puts-on-trial-abu-walaa-radical-preacher-and-accused-is-recruiter/a-40684714. He originally lived in the town of Tönisvorst in Germany’s northwestern state of North Rhine-Westphalia before setting up his proselytizing base in Hildesheim in Lower Saxony state.“Germany Puts on Trial 'Abu Walaa,' Radical Preacher and Accused IS Recruiter,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2017, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-puts-on-trial-abu-walaa-radical-preacher-and-accused-is-recruiter/a-40684714.
Walaa is believed to be the head of an Islamic group focused on recruiting young Muslims in Germany to fight for ISIS.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html. Walaa’s official Facebook page contained tacit references to jihad violence. “The Arabs fight us with their religion and they call it terrorism,” says one post, with an altered picture of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other American politicians.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html. Walaa was also active on al-manhaj.de, an online Quranic instruction website which is closely tied to the Hildesheim mosque.Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/. He also ran a YouTube channel and app called AbuWalaa which was supported on both Android and iOS devices.Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/. Walaa’s content also appeared on the social media accounts of ISIS members and supporters.>Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/.
Walaa’s main base for his proselytization was the DIK mosque in Hildesheim, where he preached regularly on Fridays.Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/. The mosque’s attendance rates for Friday prayers were regularly around 350 people, with German intelligence officials estimating as many as 10 percent of attendees were radicalized so that “they were willing to use violence.”Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/.
In November 2016, German federal prosecutors arrested Walaa and five other men in the small northern city of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony.Jack Moore, “ISIS’s Leader in Germany, the ‘preacher without a Face,’ Charged with Terrorism Offenses,” Newsweek, July 20, 2017, https://www.newsweek.com/isis-leader-germany-preacher-without-face-charged-over-jihadi-recruitment-ring-639796. The men were arrested for being part of a “national Salafist-jihadi network,” which supported ISIS, and for funding terrorism.Lizzie Dearden, “German Terror Network Sending Isis Fighters to Syria Arrested,” Independent, November 08, 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-supporters-terror-cell-germany-hildesheim-saxony-nord-rhein-westphalia-abu-walaa-five-arrested-a7405171.html. The indictment claimed Walaa had direct contact with ISIS leadership circles, and he could face up to ten years in prison for the charges.“Germany Puts on Trial ‘Abu Walaa,’ Radical Preacher and Accused IS Recruiter,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2017, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-puts-on-trial-abu-walaa-radical-preacher-and-accused-is-recruiter/a-40684714. CNN reported that 19 Germans who successfully joined ISIS, and seven others who attempted to travel, had ties to the network of which Walaa was the central figure.Paul Cruickshank, “A Look inside the Abu Walaa ISIS Recruiting Network,” CNN, December 29, 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/world/isis-abu-walaa-investigation/index.html; Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/. Similar to Khalid Zerkani’s ISIS recruiting network in Belgium, Walaa raised money for jihad travel through fraudulent loans and robberies.Paul Cruickshank, “A Look inside the Abu Walaa ISIS Recruiting Network,” CNN, December 29, 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/world/isis-abu-walaa-investigation/index.html.
According to investigators, Abu Walaa’s network had a clear hierarchy. Hasan Celenk, a 51-year-old Turkish-Kurdish preacher, and Boban Simeonovic, a Serbian and German national who had converted to Islam, were appointed as regional leaders. Walaa was in charge of the federal level operations of a “nationwide network of salafi-jihadi indoctrinators, which are closely interlinked and act in a work sharing manner.”Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/. Investigators have said that Walaa alleged that he was the only person in Germany authorized by ISIS to issue fatwas (religious decree).Georg Heil, “The Berlin Attack and the ‘Abu Walaa’ Islamic State Recruitment Network,” CTC Sentinel, February 2017, pp. 1-11, https://ctc.usma.edu/february-2017/.
Walaa is also thought to have connections with Anis Amri, the Tunisian asylum seeker who carried out a terrorist attack in Berlin in December 2016. Amri hijacked a truck, driving it into the Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people.“Germany Puts on Trial ‘Abu Walaa,’ Radical Preacher and Accused IS Recruiter,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2017, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-puts-on-trial-abu-walaa-radical-preacher-and-accused-is-recruiter/a-40684714.
The trial of Walaa began in September 2017, with the proceedings due to occur over the course of 29 days through January 2018.“Germany Puts on Trial ‘Abu Walaa,’ Radical Preacher and Accused IS Recruiter,” Deutsche Welle, September 26, 2017, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-puts-on-trial-abu-walaa-radical-preacher-and-accused-is-recruiter/a-40684714. On February 24, 2021, the Higher Regional Court in Celle sentenced Walaa to 10-and-a-half years in prison for his role in planning an attack in Germany and collecting funds and fighters for ISIS. Walaa allegedly recruited seven individuals who eventually traveled to the Middle East where they fought alongside ISIS. Additionally, two of Walaa’s recruits reportedly killed more than 150 Iraqi soldiers in suicide bombings.Martin Schlicht, “German court sentences Islamic State recruiter,” Reuters, February 24, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-security-trial-walaa/german-court-sentences-islamic-state-recruiter-idUSKBN2AO1A4?il=0.
Maulana Sami ul-Haq was a Pakistani senator and religious scholar. He led the political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) as well as its splinter group JUI-S and was the chancellor of the Darul Uloom Haqqania Islamic seminary until his death in 2018.Associated Press, “Pakistan's 'father of the Taliban' killed in knife attack,” Guardian (London), November 2, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/pakistan-maulana-samiul-haq-father-of-the-taliban-cleric-killed-in-knife-attack; William Dalrymple, “Inside the Madness,” New York Review of Books, December 1, 2005, https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2005/12/01/inside-the-madrasas/. Haq is known as “the father of the Taliban” due to the high number of Afghan and Pakistani Taliban leaders who studied at his seminary.Associated Press, “Pakistan's 'father of the Taliban' killed in knife attack,” Guardian (London), November 2, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/pakistan-maulana-samiul-haq-father-of-the-taliban-cleric-killed-in-knife-attack. In a 2005 interview, Haq claimed that his school would regularly provide the Taliban with fighters as needed.William Dalrymple, “Inside the Madness,” New York Review of Books, December 1, 2005, https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2005/12/01/inside-the-madrasas/. Haq served as a member of Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq’s Majlis al-Shura from 1981 to 1985, before serving two terms in the country’s Senate, where he was known for pushing legislation enforcing sharia.International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf; “Maulana Sami-ul-Haq,” Senate of Pakistan, 2010, http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/profile.php?uid=755. On November 2, 2018, Haq was killed in a knife attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.“Pakistan's 'father of the Taliban' killed in knife attack,” Guardian (London), November 2, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/pakistan-maulana-samiul-haq-father-of-the-taliban-cleric-killed-in-knife-attack.
Several of the Taliban’s and Haqqani Network’s top leaders studied under Haq at Darul Uloom Haqqania, an Islamic religious seminary located in Akora Khattak, Pakistan, which is often simply referred to as Haqqania. Mullah Muhammad Omar, the founder of the Taliban, as well as Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor, another former emir of the Taliban, studied at Haqqania before leaving for Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union in 1989.Maria Golovnina and Sheree Sardar, “Pakistani 'Father of Taliban' keeps watch over loyal disciples,” Reuters, September 15, 2013, https://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-father-taliban-keeps-watch-over-loyal-disciples-084932017.html; Rob Crilly and Ali M Latifi “Who is 'new Taliban leader' Mullah Akhtar Mansoor?,” Telegraph, July 30, 2015, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/11773559/Who-is-new-Taliban-leader-Mullah-Akhtar-Mansoor.html. Sirajuddin Haqqani, the current leader of the Haqqani Network and son of its deceased founder, also reportedly studied under Haq.“Pakistan's 'father of the Taliban' killed in knife attack,” Guardian (London), November 2, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/pakistan-maulana-samiul-haq-father-of-the-taliban-cleric-killed-in-knife-attack. The current commander of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, Asim Umar, was another student under Haq.Asim Tanveer and Maria Golovnina, “Al Qaeda's shadowy new 'emir' in South Asia handed tough job,” Reuters, September 9, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southasia-alqaeda-insight/al-qaedas-shadowy-new-emir-in-south-asia-handed-tough-job-idUSKBN0H42DN20140909.
Haqqania is considered one of the largest and most respected Islamic seminaries in South Asia, with approximately 4,000 students.Maria Golovnina and Sheree Sardar, “Pakistani 'Father of Taliban' keeps watch over loyal disciples,” Reuters, September 15, 2013, https://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-father-taliban-keeps-watch-over-loyal-disciples-084932017.html. Haq’s seminary teaches a hardline curriculum based on the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam. The Taliban and other extremist groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan subscribe to this fundamentalist sect of the religion.Maria Golovnina and Sheree Sardar, “Pakistani 'Father of Taliban' keeps watch over loyal disciples,” Reuters, September 15, 2013, https://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-father-taliban-keeps-watch-over-loyal-disciples-084932017.html. Haqqania became the source of much of the Taliban’s power and strength in the 1990s as the group was able to heavily draw on recruits and leaders at the seminary. Haq maintained an openly pro-Taliban stance during this time as chancellor, praising the Taliban’s founder and in 2013, stating “Give [the Taliban] just one year and they will make the whole of Afghanistan happy.”Maria Golovnina and Sheree Sardar, “Pakistani 'Father of Taliban' keeps watch over loyal disciples,” Reuters, September 15, 2013, https://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-father-taliban-keeps-watch-over-loyal-disciples-084932017.html. Nonetheless, he is believed to have had the support of the Pakistani security forces.Maria Golovnina and Sheree Sardar, “Pakistani 'Father of Taliban' keeps watch over loyal disciples,” Reuters, September 15, 2013, https://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-father-taliban-keeps-watch-over-loyal-disciples-084932017.html.
Haq was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1985 and re-elected in 1991. During his first term in office, Haq was considered a key supporter of the 1991 Shariat Bill.“Maulana Sami-ul-Haq,” Senate of Pakistan, 2010, http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/profile.php?uid=755. The bill declared sharia as the supreme law of Pakistan and made provisions for the “Islamization” of the education, economic, media, and social sectors.“ENFORCEMENT OF SHARI’AH ACT. 1991,” Pakistan Legislation, http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/1991/actXof1991.html; “Act No X of 1991,” The Gazette of Pakistan, June 18, 1991, http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1335242059_665.pdf. Prior to Haq’s election to the Senate, the founder of the political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Maulana Mohammad Abdullah Darkhawsti, appointed Haq as the party’s emir.International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf. Following the party’s split in the mid-1980s, Haq led a faction known as JUI-S.International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf. The JUI-S supported jihad in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and since the ouster of the Taliban from Kabul in 2001.Taha Siddiqui, “Difa-e-Pakistan Part 1/2: Jihadis itch for resurgence,” Tribune Express, February 11, 2012, https://tribune.com.pk/story/334777/difa-e-pakistan-part-12-jihadis-itch-for-resurgence/; International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf. According to the International Crisis Group, the JUI-S maintains close ties to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf.
As leader of JUI-S, Haq played a central role in passing anti-Ahmadi legislation in the 1980s. Ahmadiyya is an Islamic messianic movement with more than two million followers living in Pakistan.“Pakistan: The situation of Ahmadis, including legal status and political, education and employment rights; societal attitudes toward Ahmadis (2006 - Nov. 2008),” UNHCR, December 4, 2008, https://www.refworld.org/docid/49913b5f2c.html; International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf. Under Haq’s direction, Pakistan passed Ordinance XX in 1984, which bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves Muslims, practicing any aspects of the Islamic faith, and from using any Islamic texts in their prayers.International Crisis Group, Islamic Parties In Pakistan, Asia Report N°216, December 12, 2011, https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/216%20Islamic%20Parties%20in%20Pakistan.pdf; “Government of Pakistan — Law for Ahmadis,” Gazette of Pakistan, April 26, 1984, http://www.thepersecution.org/50years/paklaw.html.
Haq was assassinated in his home in a knife attack on November 2, 2018. His murder was condemned by Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, the latter of which had spoken highly of Haq while campaigning during the 2018 general election. The provincial government where Haqqania is located also donated $2.5 million to the seminary in February 2018.“Pakistan's 'father of the Taliban' killed in knife attack,” Guardian (London), November 2, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/pakistan-maulana-samiul-haq-father-of-the-taliban-cleric-killed-in-knife-attack; Fred Bezhan, “'University Of Jihad' Gets Public Funds Even As Pakistan Fights Extremism,” Radio Free Europe, March 11, 2018, https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-jihad-university-haqqania-government-funding-haq-taliban-omar/29092748.html.
Zabiullah Mujahid is a senior Taliban official who previously served as the spokesman of the Taliban. Mujahid reported on Taliban activity in central, eastern, and northern Afghanistan.TALIBAN PROPAGANDA: WINNING THE WAR OF WORDS?, International Crisis Group, Asia Report No 158, July 24, 2008, http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/Afghanistan_08_07_24_Taliban_Propaganda_Winning_the_War_of_Words.pdf. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, on September 7, it was announced that Mujahid will serve as the deputy minister of information and broadcasting of the Taliban’s caretaker government in Afghanistan.“Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html.
While serving as spokesman of the Taliban, Mujahid regularly spoke to national and foreign journalists via SMS and telephone and frequently posted on Twitter, where he has over 30,000 followers. Mujahid tweets in both English and Pashto and is often quoted by major news organizations.“Taliban announce surprise talks with US in Pakistani capital,” Al Jazeera, February 13, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/taliban-announce-surprise-talks-pakistan-capital-190213174437142.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban name negotiating team ahead of new talks with US,” January 24, 2019, https://www.apnews.com/39bc926d2ae148d4b33023a59f3babfe. In a series of interviews with the New York Times, Mujahid claimed to hold a master’s degree in religious studies and have served in a low-level position in the Taliban’s Culture and Information Department before the U.S.-led intervention.Rod Nordland, “One Voice or Many for the Taliban, but Pegged to a Single Name,” New York Times, June 14, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/asia/15zabiullah.html.
Mujahid reportedly succeeded Muhammad Hanif in January 2007 after Hanif was arrested by NATO forces in Afghanistan.“Taliban spokesman arrested,” Al Jazeera, January 19, 2007, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2007/01/200852512617616290.html. While Afghan intelligence officials claim that Mujahid is a Pakistani man named Hajji Ismail, U.S. intelligence officials claim he is actually a persona run by a team of Taliban members.Rod Nordland, “One Voice or Many for the Taliban, but Pegged to a Single Name,” New York Times, June 14, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/asia/15zabiullah.html. The U.S. claim is supported by the fact that journalists report that Mujahid responds to their inquiries at all of times of the day.TALIBAN PROPAGANDA: WINNING THE WAR OF WORDS?, International Crisis Group, Asia Report No 158, July 24, 2008, http://www.genocidewatch.org/images/Afghanistan_08_07_24_Taliban_Propaganda_Winning_the_War_of_Words.pdf.
The Taliban signed the Doha peace agreement with the U.S. government on February 29, 2020.Kathy Gannon, “Mullah’s rise charts Taliban’s long road back to power,” Associated Press, August 18, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-abdul-ghani-baradar-e80165eb6c65fc7ea8fae50212ba56c8. The terms of the agreement stated that the United States would draw its forces down to 8,600 from 13,000 in the next three to four months, with the remaining U.S. forces withdrawing in 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States. The Taliban also agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with other Afghan militants and the Afghan government.Asad Hashim, “Pakistan warns US of ‘spoilers’ on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, March 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html; Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, “US and Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, February 29, 2020, https://apnews.com/491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e; “Susannah George and Dan Lamothe, “Afghan government objects to elements of U.S.-Taliban peace deal,” Washington Post, March 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-government-questions-aspects-of-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/03/01/0a973228-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html.
On August 6, 2021, the Taliban began an offensive against major Afghan cities with the seizure of Zaranj, capital of Nimruz province.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. By August 13, the Taliban controlled 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals and more than two-thirds of the country.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. On August 15, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans poured into Kabul’s airport as Taliban fighters entered the city. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, after which the Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan had ended.“Taliban declares ‘war is over’ as president and diplomats flee Kabul,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/talibans-rapid-advance-across-afghanistan-2021-08-10/. At an August 17 news conference in Kabul, Mujahid made his first-ever public appearance.Ahmad Seir, Rahim Faiez, Kathy Gannon and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban vow to respect women, despite history of oppression,” Associated Press, August 17, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-1d4b052ccef113adc8dc94f965ff23c7. Mujahid claimed that the Taliban would take on a more “moderate” approach in their ruling of the country, and that women are allowed to have roles in public life in observance of “Islamic law.”“Factbox: Taliban seek to present a moderate face as they take control in Afghanistan,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-seek-present-moderate-face-they-take-control-afghanistan-2021-08-15/. The U.S. remains committed to full withdrawal from Afghanistan by August 31, 2021. However, the evacuation of American citizens, U.S. personnel, and highly vulnerable Afghans has been chaotic. As of August 25, over 70,000 people have been evacuated with many more still at Kabul airport. The Taliban have claimed “there would be consequences” if the U.S. does not abide to the August 31st deadline.Amanda Macias, “Biden says Afghanistan evacuation on track to finish by Aug. 31 deadline as threats to Kabul airport grow,” CNBC, August 24, 2021, https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/24/biden-sticks-to-aug-31-afghanistan-withdrawal-deadline.html; Sally Lockwood, “Afghanistan: Taliban warns there will be 'consequences' if Biden delays withdrawal of US troops,” August 24, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/afghanistan-taliban-warns-there-will-be-consequences-if-biden-delays-withdrawal-of-us-troops-12388436.
On August 24, 2021, Mujahid told a news conference that the U.S. must stick to its deadline of full withdrawal from Afghanistan by August 31, after which the Taliban “won’t let Afghans be taken out” on evacuation flights. Although Mujahid has reassured Afghans that the Taliban will bring peace and security to the country, reports on the ground have contradicted these claims as there have been accounts of reprisal killings and restrictions on the rights of women.Jonathan Lemire, Robert Burns and Rahim Faiez, “Biden holds to Kabul Aug 31. Deadline despite criticism,” Associated Press, August 24, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-taliban-a0f7cfd98704e6c2fca340324699a129.
On September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. Mujahid was named deputy minister of information and broadcasting. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early nineties.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87; “Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html.
Ali al-Qaradaghi is the secretary-general of the Qatar-based International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), an organization previously led by Yusuf al-Qaradawi and linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.“International Union of Muslim scholars ‘rejects normalisation with Israel and calls for release of prisoners of conscience,’” Middle East Monitor, November 9, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-rejects-normalisation-with-israel-and-calls-for-release-of-prisoners-of-conscience/; Ali Abdelaty and Aziz El Yaakoubi, “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar,” Reuters, December 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8. Qaradawi allegedly handpicked Qaradaghi as secretary-general of the IUMS.Qatarileaks, Twitter post, May 24, 2018, 2:49 p.m., https://twitter.com/qatarileaks/status/999723958457921537. Qaradaghi has defended Qaradawi from accusations of supporting terrorism, though both have been vocal advocates for the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.Hassan Obeid, “Qaradaghi: We support action against Houthis,” Al-Monitor, April 19, 2015, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/palestine-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-alqaradaghi.html. Qaradaghi holds a PhD in Islamic jurisprudence and has written dozens of books on Islamic finance. He resides in Qatar, where he is on the faculty of Qatar University.“Curriculum Vitae,” Qaradaghi.com, accessed December 4, 2018, http://www.qaradaghi.com/Details.aspx?ID=4. He also sits on the sharia advisory boards of multiple financial institutions.“Shari’ah Board,” Qatar First Bank, accessed December 6, 2018, https://www.qfb.com.qa/about-us/shariah-board/; Anjuli Davies, “High-profile Islamic finance firm Dar Al Istithmar closes,” Reuters, January 29, 2013, https://www.reuters.com/article/islamic-finance-dar/high-profile-islamic-finance-firm-dar-al-istithmar-closes-idUSL5N0AYD5C20130129; “Curriculum Vitae,” Qaradaghi.com, accessed December 4, 2018, http://www.qaradaghi.com/Details.aspx?ID=4. Qaradaghi was re-elected as secretary-general of the IUMS in November 2018.“International Union of Muslim scholars ‘rejects normalisation with Israel and calls for release of prisoners of conscience,’” Middle East Monitor, November 9, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-rejects-normalisation-with-israel-and-calls-for-release-of-prisoners-of-conscience/.
Qaradaghi’s website, www.qaradaghi.com, includes speeches, lectures, and links to his social media accounts. He is active on multiple social media platforms and professes social media plays an important role in the spread of Islam, though “jihad is the greatest way to spread Islam.”“Social media is very important to spread Islamic cause Kaynak: Social media is very important to spread Islamic cause,” Çınarın Sesi, October 16, 2018, http://www.cinarinsesi.com/social-media-is-very-important-to-spread-islamic-cause-159258h.htm.
Qaradaghi has been critical of the United States, and the West in general, over perceived anti-Muslim foreign policy. He called for a “Palestinian, Arab and Islamic uprising” against the United States after President Donald Trump’s 2017 announcement of U.S. intentions to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.Hussein Qabani, “Scholars urge ‘uprising’ over Jerusalem embassy move,” Anadolu Agency, February 25, 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/scholars-urge-uprising-over-jerusalem-embassy-move/1073366. Qaradaghi has accused Israel of “ongoing crimes against humanity”Idris Okuducu and Dishad Saifaalddin Ahmed, “Qatar-based Muslim group decries Israel's Gaza violence,” Anadolu Agency, May 15, 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/qatar-based-muslim-group-decries-israels-gaza-violence/1146479. and labeled the United States and Israel “partners in crime.”Idris Okuducu and Dishad Saifaalddin Ahmed, “Qatar-based Muslim group decries Israel's Gaza violence,” Anadolu Agency, May 15, 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/qatar-based-muslim-group-decries-israels-gaza-violence/1146479. Qaradaghi has called for the Muslim world to unite against Israel to restore pre-1948 Palestine.“Muslim scholars body urges focus on Palestinians’ right,” Anadolu Agency, May 14, 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/muslim-scholars-body-urges-focus-on-palestinians-right/1144330. He has also defended Hamas as “defending the rights of the nation….”Hassan Obeid, “Qaradaghi: We support action against Houthis,” Al-Monitor, April 19, 2015, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/palestine-international-union-of-muslim-scholars-alqaradaghi.html. After the 2016 attempted coup in Turkey, Qaradaghi excoriated Western powers for failing to side with the Turkish government, which he defended as a protector of the “weak and oppressed.”Tasneem al-Nekheli, “Muslim scholars slam western stance on Turkey coup bid,” Anadolu Agency, July 27, 2016, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/anadolu-post/muslim-scholars-slam-western-stance-on-turkey-coup-bid/616964. More than 300 people were killed during the coup attempt and the Turkish government’s subsequent military crackdown. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrested or detained more than 40,000 alleged dissidents, prompting international criticism.Thomas Grove, “Turkey Broadens Post-Coup Purge,” Wall Street Journal, July 18, 2016, https://www.wsj.com/articles/alleged-coup-leaders-appear-in-court-in-ankara-1468846241; Tim Arango and Ceylan Yeginsu, “Turkey to Release Tens of Thousands of Prisoners to Make Room for Coup Suspects,” New York Times, August 17, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/world/europe/turkey-prisoners-erdogan.html. In June 2021, Algeria held its first parliamentary election since the departure of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April 2019 after mass protests against his 20-year rule. On June 14, 2021, Qaradaghi criticized the “double standards” used by the international media while covering the elections in Algeria. Noting that there was only 30 percent voter turnout, he added, “if Islamists win the elections, most of the voices in media outlets would say that the voters boycotted.”“IUMS: Media has double standards when it comes to Algeria's elections,” MEMO, June 15, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210615-iums-media-has-double-standards-when-it-comes-to-algerias-elections/.
Founded in 2004 by clerics reportedly tied to the Muslim Brotherhood, the IUMS has received international criticism for ties to terrorism.Ali Abdelaty and Aziz El Yaakoubi, “Islamist group rejects terrorism charge by states boycotting Qatar,” Reuters, December 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/gulf-qatar/islamist-group-rejects-terrorism-charge-by-states-boycotting-qatar-idUSL8N1O12V8. Former IUMS president Qaradawi is an unofficial spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.“Al-Qaradawi turns down top Brotherhood post,” Al Jazeera, January 12, 2004, http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2004/01/2008410145045889729.html; Malek Harb and Jon Gambrell, “Arab nations add names to terror list amid Qatar dispute,” Associated Press, June 9, 2017, https://apnews.com/0f252c487b7b431682a3555f68703eeb. Qaradaghi has described Qaradawi as a moderate opposed to extremism, though Qaradawi has been outspoken in his support of suicide bombings.“French visa ban blow to Al Qaradawi,” Gulf News, March 27, 2012, https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/french-visa-ban-blow-to-al-qaradawi-1.1000137. In 2012, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh joined the IUMS in a bid to elevate Hamas’s international profile.“Hamas Leader Haniyah Joins Emerging Network of Islamists,” AccessADL, February 10, 2012, http://accessadl.blogspot.com/2012/02/hamas-leader-haniyah-joins-emerging.html. In late 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain designated the IUMS a terrorist organization.“Doha-based Muslim scholars group slams 'terror' claims,” Anadolu Agency, December 1, 2017, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/doha-based-muslim-scholars-group-slams-terror-claims/987063. The UAE had previously designated the IUMS in 2014.“Islamist group rejects UAE terrorism designation,” Reuters, November 17, 2014, https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0J10RX20141117. Qaradaghi has defended the IUMS as focused on peace and independent of any country or NGO.Mazin Majeed Asaad Baqal and Hemn Baban, “Int'l Muslim Scholars Union opens office in N. Iraq,” Anadolu Agency, August 13, 2018, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/intl-muslim-scholars-union-opens-office-in-n-iraq/1230039. According to Qaradaghi, the IUMS grew out of the Muslim ummah (community) and rejected “extremist ideologies that have tried to hijack and distort our peaceful religion.”“Doha-based Muslim scholars group slams 'terror' claims,” Anadolu Agency, December 1, 2017, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/doha-based-muslim-scholars-group-slams-terror-claims/987063. Qaradaghi later announced the IUMS’s intention to press for legal action to overturn the designation.Agence France-Presse, “Qatar-based Muslim group to sue over 'terror' label,” The Express Tribune (Karachi), December 1, 2017, https://tribune.com.pk/story/1573955/3-qatar-based-muslim-group-sue-terror-label/.
Secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS). Has publicly stated Hamas is “defending the rights of the nation” and the IUMS views Hamas “from the perspective of the Palestinian cause, which must remain the pre-eminent cause not just for the union but for all Arabs, Muslims and free humanitarians of the world.”
Previously served as president of the IUMS until November 2018. Qaradawi handpicked Qaradaghi as secretary-general in 2010. Qaradaghi has defended Qaradawi from accusations of supporting terrorism, though both have been vocal advocates for the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.
Propagandist. Secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS). Has publicly stated Hamas is “defending the rights of the nation” and the IUMS views Hamas “from the perspective of the Palestinian cause, which must remain the pre-eminent cause not just for the union but for all Arabs, Muslims and free humanitarians of the world.” Brotherhood ideologue Yusuf al-Qaradawi handpicked Qaradaghi as secretary-general in 2010. Qaradaghi has defended Qaradawi from accusations of supporting terrorism, though both have been vocal advocates for the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.
British citizen Anjem Choudary is an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter. He is the co-founder of the banned al-Muhajiroun network, which the British government accuses of fomenting support for ISIS.Andrew Anthony, “Anjem Choudary: the British extremist who backs the caliphate,” Guardian (London), September 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/anjem-choudary-islamic-state-isis. For years before his 2014 arrest, Choudary’s Islamist speeches, anti-Western rhetoric, and declared support for foreign Islamist movements such as ISIS drew the attention of British authorities, who connected Choudary to multiple terrorist-related cases in the United Kingdom and Europe. Choudary was convicted in July 2016 of inviting support for ISIS.Jamie Grierson and Shiv Malik, “Preacher Anjem Choudary charged with encouraging support for Islamic State,” Guardian (London), August 5, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/05/cleric-anjem-choudary-charged-with-encouraging-support-for-islamic-state; “Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/; Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122. Choudary returned to social media for a short time, but he was arrested again in July 2023 on multiple terrorism charges related to the continuation of his banned al-Muhajiroun terrorist network.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary arrested on suspicion of terror offence,” Telegraph (London), July 17, 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/17/hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-arrested-for-terror-offence/?s=09; “Men arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences,” Metropolitan Police, July 17, 2023, https://news.met.police.uk/news/men-arrested-on-suspicion-of-terrorism-offences-469915; “Radical UK Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary charged with three terrorist offences,” Reuters, July 24, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/radical-uk-islamist-preacher-anjem-choudary-charged-with-three-terrorist-2023-07-24/. On July 30, 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison.Dominici Casciani, “Anjem Choudary jailed for life,” BBC News, July 30, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3geqp8vx08o.
Choudary is the son of Pakistani immigrants and grew up in a secular home in London. As Choudary became more religious in the 1990s, he met Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Muhammad at a mosque in Woolrich, England.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary to be freed from jail despite remaining ‘genuinely dangerous,’” Telegraph (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/11/notorious-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-released-prison-despite/. Bakri Muhammad and Choudary founded al-Muhajiroun in 1996 after Bakri Muhammad was expelled from the international Islamist network Hizb ut-Tahrir. Al-Muhajiroun was modeled on a similar organization Bakri Muhammad created in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary to be freed from jail despite remaining ‘genuinely dangerous,’” Telegraph (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/11/notorious-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-released-prison-despite/; Richard Watson, “Has al-Muhajiroun been underestimated?” BBC News, June 27, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40355491. Choudary and al-Muhajiroun have been linked to several notable extremists, and the group openly praised the 9/11 attacks.Andrew Anthony, “Anjem Choudary: the British extremist who backs the caliphate,” Guardian (London), September 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/anjem-choudary-islamic-state-isis. U.K. officials have noted that Choudary is a “deeply pernicious, destabilising influence.”Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary to be freed from jail despite remaining ‘genuinely dangerous,’” Telegraph (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/11/notorious-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-released-prison-despite/. Among others, Choudary is believed to have influenced al-Muhajiroun members Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who in 2013 beheaded British soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby in southeast London.Chris Greenwood, Neil Sears, and Sian Boyle, “Muslim firebrand is arrested as police hold nine rabble-rousers,” Daily Mail (London), September 25, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2769098/BREAKING-NEWS-Nine-men-arrested-counter-terror-police-London-suspicion-encouraging-terrorism.html. Choudary also reportedly radicalized Abdul Latheef Mohamed Jameel, one of the nine suicide bombers who blew himself up in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019, killing more than 250 people during the Easter Sunday attacks. Jameel reportedly attended Choudary’s lectures and met with the propagandist while studying in London.Anbarasan Ethirajan, “Sri Lanka attacks: The family networks behind the bombings,” BBC News, May 11, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48218907; Alasdair Pal and Shihar Aneez, “The Western-educated bomber who botched Sri Lanka hotel attack,” Reuters, April 26, 2019, https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1S21PM. Islamist propagandist Abu Izzadeen at one point worked as an enforcer for al-Muhajiroun and a bodyguard for Baki Muhammad.Murray Wardrop, “Islamic hate preacher arrested on terrorism charge,” Telegraph (London), November 3, 2011,http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8865616/Islamic-hate-preacher-arrested-on-terrorism-charge.html. Choudary condemned Izzadeen’s February 2007 arrest as part of a “witch hunt” led by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.“UK police arrest outspoken Muslim,” CNN, February 8, 2007, http://web.archive.org/web/20070210045235/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/02/08/britain.arrest.reut/index.html.
Khuram Shazad Butt, one of the attackers in the June 3, 2017, London Bridge attacks, also allegedly belonged to al-Muhajiroun.Mark White, “London Bridge attackers were part of banned jihadi network,” Sky News, June 6, 2017, http://news.sky.com/story/london-bridge-attacker-khuram-butt-was-part-of-banned-jihadi-network-10906091. In a 2016 documentary on individuals in the Islamist group, Butt is seen holding a black banner after one extremist cleric proclaimed that it would soon hang over the British prime minister’s residence.Paul Cruickshank, “Who was London attacker Khuram Butt?” CNN, June 6, 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/05/europe/khuram-butt-london-attacker/index.html. Butt also allegedly defended comments Choudary made in the aftermath of the Rigby murder. Butt reportedly confronted counter-extremism advocate Mohammed Shafiq, who criticized Choudary as a traitor.Mark White, “London Bridge attackers were part of banned jihadi network,” Sky News, June 6, 2017, http://news.sky.com/story/london-bridge-attacker-khuram-butt-was-part-of-banned-jihadi-network-10906091.
Choudary and Bakri Muhammad dissolved al-Muhajiroun in 2004 ahead of a pending government ban. They reorganized the group under various aliases, including Islam4UK, Muslims Against Crusades, Call to Submission, Islamic Path, London School of Sharia, the Saved Sect of Savior Sect, Ahl ul-Sunnah Wa al-Jamma, and Al Ghurabaa. In 2010, the U.K. government banned al-Muhajiroun and its other iterations.“Ministers ban suspected aliases of banned extremist group,” BBC News, June 26, 2014, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28049374; “Proscribed Terrorist Organizations,” Home Office, accessed August 16, 2016, 6, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/538297/20160715-Proscription-website-update.pdf; “London cops sweep up 9 terror suspects,” CBS News, September 25, 2014, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/london-cops-sweep-up-9-terror-suspects-anjem-choudary/; Eilish O’Gara, “Radical UK Preacher Anjem Choudary Charged With Inviting Support for ISIS,” Newsweek, August 5, 2015, http://europe.newsweek.com/radical-uk-preacher-anjem-choudary-charged-inviting-support-isis-331221. In May 2019, media reports surfaced that al-Muhajiroun was regrouping after the release of Choudary and other members from prison. Though Choudary remained under tight communications restrictions and surveillance, his release has inspired others to revive al-Muhajiroun, according to British authorities and former members of the group. By 2019, the network had reportedly begun meeting again in London, Luton, and the county of Bedfordshire.Ceylan Yeginsu, “One of U.K.’s Most Prolific Extremist Cells Is Regrouping,” New York Times, May 18, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/world/europe/uk-extremist-cell-anjem-choudary.html.
British authorities arrested Choudary and his associate Mohammed Mizanur Rahman in September 2014 for suspected membership in ISIS.Martin Evans, “Anjem Choudary charged with supporting a terror organization,” Telegraph (London), August 5, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11784970/Anjem-Choudary-charged-with-supporting-a-terror-organisation.html; Daniel Sandford, “Choudary and Others Arrested In Islamist Terror Investigation,” BBC News, September 25, 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29360297/; Vikram Dodd, “Anjem Choudary denies breaking terrorism laws,” Guardian (London), June 28, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/28/anjem-choudary-denies-breaking-terrorism-laws. Both men were charged in August 2015 with promoting support for ISIS between June 29, 2014, and March 6, 2015. The pair pleaded not guilty to the charge but were ultimately convicted in July 2016 of inviting support for ISIS.Jamie Grierson and Shiv Malik, “Preacher Anjem Choudary charged with encouraging support for Islamic State,” Guardian (London), August 5, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/05/cleric-anjem-choudary-charged-with-encouraging-support-for-islamic-state; “Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/; Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122. In September 2016, Choudary and Rahman were each sentenced to five years and six months in prison.Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html. Choudary was released on October 19, 2018, only halfway through his sentence due to British probation rules that allow for early release after the completion of half a sentence.Martin Bentham, “Release of Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary next month ‘is danger for us all’, prisons minister warns,” Evening Standard (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/release-of-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-next-month-is-danger-for-us-all-prisons-minister-warns-a3932731.html.
Days before his October 2018 release, the U.N. Security Council added Choudary to its al-Qaeda and ISIS sanctions list, freezing all of his financial assets.“SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO RESOLUTIONS 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) AND 2253 (2015) CONCERNING ISIL (DA'ESH) AL-QAIDA AND ASSOCIATED INDIVIDUALS GROUPS UNDERTAKINGS AND ENTITIES,” U.N. Security Council, accessed October 18, 2018, https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/anjem-choudary. Choudary’s designation was reportedly by request of the British government, which also added Choudary to its Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets prior to his release.“Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK,” Gov.UK, last updated October 17, 2018, http://hmt-sanctions.s3.amazonaws.com/sanctionsconlist.htm; Lizzie Dearden, “Anjem Choudary's assets frozen days before prison release for supporting Isis,” Independent (London), October 17, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/anjem-choudary-isis-prison-release-islam-terrorist-restrictions-asset-freeze-un-sanctions-a8587311.html. On October 19, 2018, Choudary was remanded to a probation hostel in London for six months, after which he may return to his family’s London home under strict surveillance. In the hostel, Choudary will be under 24-hour police surveillance and required to wear a GPS tracker. Through the remainder of Choudary’s sentence, British authorities imposed what are reportedly the most stringent living conditions ever levied on a British citizen.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary is banned from speaking to children on jail release,” Telegraph (London), October 15, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/15/hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-banned-speaking-children-jail-release/; Laura FitzPatrick and Patrick Sawyer, “Anjem Choudary, notorious Islamist hate preacher, a free man after release from prison,” Telegraph (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/19/anjem-choudary-pictured-free-man-released-prison/. A violation of these condition would likely result in Choudary’s return to prison.“Anjem Choudary: Radical preacher released from prison,” BBC News, October 19, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45911160. In addition to standard probation rules on regular visits with a probation officer and avoiding further legal infractions, Choudary is:
The U.K. government has also reportedly arranged for additional security around Choudary to prevent attacks from right-wing extremists angered by his release. In all, Choudary’s security arrangements were reportedly expected to cost £2 million per year.Laura FitzPatrick and Patrick Sawyer, “Anjem Choudary, notorious Islamist hate preacher, a free man after release from prison,” Telegraph (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/19/anjem-choudary-pictured-free-man-released-prison/; Lizzie Dearden, “Anjem Choudary: How Islamist preacher sparked rise of Tommy Robinson and the far-right,” Independent (London), October 18, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/anjem-choudary-tommy-robinson-islam-preacher-far-right-edl-luton-protests-islamists-terror-a8589236.html.
Among his controversial views, Choudary has advocated for Islamists and would-be jihadists to live off of British welfare, as Choudary has done with his wife and four children in East London. Choudary has reportedly referred to this practice as the “jihad seeker’s allowance.”Robert Johnson, “Muslim Preacher Tells Followers Getting Welfare Cash For Holy Wars Is Easy And Right [VIDEO],” Business Insider, February 18, 2013, http://www.businessinsider.com/anjem-choudary-muslim-preacher-explains-government-assistance-to-fund-jihad-holy-war-2013-2. In late 2014, however, Choudary told an interviewer that he would immigrate with his family to Syria if the British government would allow him to keep his passport.Clarissa Ward, “Campaigning for ISIS in the West,” 60 Minutes, November 2, 2014, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/recruiting-for-isis-60-minutes/.
Following ISIS’s declaration of a caliphate in June 2014, both Choudary and Rahman pledged allegiance to the ISIS’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi over a Skype call with a convicted terrorist in Indonesia, according to authorities.Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122; “Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/. Choudary then began to support ISIS over social media, as encouraged by his associate Abu Rumaysah, who left Britain in late 2014 to join ISIS in Syria.Jamie Grierson, Vikram Dodd, and Jason Rodrigues, “Anjem Choudary convicted of supporting Islamic State,” Guardian (London), August 16, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/16/anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state. In a September 2014 interview with London’s Guardian, Choudary referred to Baghdadi as “the caliph of all Muslims.”Andrew Anthony, “Anjem Choudary: the British extremist who backs the caliphate,” Guardian (London), September 6, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/anjem-choudary-islamic-state-isis.
Choudary has supported terror attacks during appearances on international television. In January 2015, Choudary was featured on the Fox News show Hannity and defended the Islamist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris.“Radical imam Anjem Choudary on Charlie Hebdo attack,” Fox News, January 8, 2015, http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2015/01/08/radical-imam-anjem-choudary-charlie-hebdo-attack/. After the May 3, 2015, attack on a “Draw Muhammad” contest in Garland, Texas, Choudary appeared on Fox News and told contest organizer Pamela Gellar she should have expected a violent response.“Radical Imam: Pamela Gellar Deserves to Die,” Fox News, May 6, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/recruiting-for-isis-60-minutes/.
Source: Fox News
Choudary has encouraged British Muslims to refrain from participation in U.K. politics. Preceding May 2015 parliamentary elections, Choudary launched a campaign on social media called #StayMuslimDontVote. The campaign sought to warn Muslims that voting in man-made elections is a sin under Islamic law.“Radical Imam: Pamela Gellar Deserves to Die,” Fox News, May 6, 2015, http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/05/06/radical-imam-pamela-geller-deserves-die.
During Choudary’s trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Choudary had argued online for Muslims to pledge allegiance to ISIS’s Baghdadi. According to Commander Dean Haydon of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, Choudary and Rahman had developed careers as spokesmen for extremists, but always avoided crossing the line into criminal speech. “Their recent speeches and the oath of allegiance were a turning point for the police — at last, we had the evidence that they had stepped over the line and we could prove they were actively encouraging support of ISIS,” he said.Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html.
The U.S. government sanction-designated Choudary in March 2017. According to the U.S. Department of State, Choudary has expressed a desire to continue promoting ISIS’s cause—and even recruit for the terror group—from prison.“State Department Terrorist Designations of El Shafee Elsheikh, Anjem Choudary, Sami Bouras, Shane Dominic Crawford, and Mark John Taylor,” U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2017, https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/03/269306.htm. Ahead of Choudary’s October 2018 release, U.K. Prison Minister Rory Stewart called him “genuinely dangerous” and lamented that the government could not circumvent the law that would set him free.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary to be freed from jail despite remaining ‘genuinely dangerous,’” Telegraph (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/11/notorious-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-released-prison-despite/. Other government sources reportedly condemned Choudary as a coward radicalizing others to become foreign fighters while refusing to fight himself.Laura FitzPatrick and Patrick Sawyer, “Anjem Choudary, notorious Islamist hate preacher, a free man after release from prison,” Telegraph (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/19/anjem-choudary-pictured-free-man-released-prison/; Lizzie Dearden, “Anjem Choudary: How Islamist preacher sparked rise of Tommy Robinson and the far-right,” Independent (London), October 18, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/anjem-choudary-tommy-robinson-islam-preacher-far-right-edl-luton-protests-islamists-terror-a8589236.html.
On July 19, 2021, more than 20 government restrictions on Choudary expired. Among the expired restriction was a ban on public speaking. Later that day, Choudary held a press conference in a park near his east London home, during which he proclaimed his innocence and labeled himself a “prisoner of faith” who could not receive a fair trial in the United Kingdom.Max Stephens and Gareth Davies, Anjem Choudary free to preach again as he gives first public statement since release from prison,” Telegraph (London), July 19, 2021, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/19/anjem-choudary-free-preach-gives-first-public-statement-since/. He went on to condemn the criminalization of people for their opinions, referring to himself as a normal Muslim who never had any ties to extremism. He further labeled the government-imposed restrictions on him after his release as “draconian.”Jonathan Reilly, “HATE SPEECH Terror preacher Anjem Choudary calls for release of terrorist HOURS after his ban on public speaking ends,” Sun (London), July 19, 2021, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/15633294/anajem-choudary-release-terrorist-ban-public-speaking/. Choudary also called for the release of Bakri Muhammad from Lebanese prison.Jonathan Reilly, “HATE SPEECH Terror preacher Anjem Choudary calls for release of terrorist HOURS after his ban on public speaking ends,” Sun (London), July 19, 2021, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/15633294/anajem-choudary-release-terrorist-ban-public-speaking/. Choudary created new Twitter and Facebook accounts shortly after the expiration of the government restrictions. He also created a new “official blog.” Choudary posted his first essay on his blog on July 27, calling for Bakri Muhammad’s release.“Press Release,” Anjem Choudary Official Blog, July 27, 2021. On July 28, Twitter permanently suspended Choudary. Facebook reportedly followed on July 29. Twitter claimed Choudary had been banned for violating the rules of its violent organizations policy. Choudary told Sky News he did not understand why he had been banned as, he claimed, his posts had been “quite moderate.”James Gant, “Anjem Choudary is BANNED from Facebook and Twitter just FIVE days after the Islamic hate preacher set up social media accounts,” Daily Mail (London), last update July 30, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9840649/Social-media-accounts-radical-preacher-Anjem-Choudary-suspended.html; Mark White, “Anjem Choudary: Islamist hate preacher banned from Twitter,” Sky News, July 29, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/anjem-choudary-islamist-hate-preacher-banned-from-twitter-12367411. Choudary has also used the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging service WhatsApp to send essays on sharia and promote his new social media accounts. On August 2, Choudary created an Instagram account under the handle “anjemchoudary1967.” Instagram suspended him within several hours of the account’s creation. According to a company spokeswoman, Choudary “was removed from our platform for violating our Dangerous Individuals & Organisations policies. Under these rules, we ban organisations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or engage in organised hate or violence.”William Cole, “Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary is kicked off Instagram days after he was banned from Twitter and Facebook,” Daily Mail (London), August 3, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9855415/Islamist-hate-preacher-Anjem-Choudary-kicked-Instagram.html. On August 4, the professional networking website LinkedIn banned Choudary hours after he created a profile.Jacob Thorburn, “Now Anjem Choudary is kicked off LinkedIn: Islamist hate preacher fails in bid to join social media network after being booted from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,” Daily Mail (London), August 4, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9860841/Preacher-Anjem-Choudary-joins-LinkedIn-kicked-Facebook-Twitter-Instagram.html. On August 10, Choudary began posting essays to a Blogspot website called Shariah is the Future. While a second “official blog” went offline in March, Choudary has continued to use the Blogspot platform to post essays assailing democracy and Western values as un-Islamic.Shariah is the Future, accessed April 25, 2022. Blogspot is the subdomain of Google’s Blogger content management system.
In mid-August 2021, Telegram shut down Choudary’s channel, but he soon after created a second channel on the platform called “Islam is the Answer.” Choudary has used the platform to call attention to what he calls the “plight” of Bakri Muhammad and call for his release from prison in Lebanon.Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, August 20, 2021. In another post, Choudary penned an open letter to the Taliban after the group completed its violent takeover of Afghanistan earlier that month. Choudary called on the Taliban to establish a government based on sharia and reject any foreign interference, including from the United Nations and other human-rights organizations. He further called for the abolishment of Afghanistan itself and for the Taliban to establish an Islamic caliphate that would shut down all non-sharia courts and implement violent punishments as demanded under strict sharia, including cutting the hands off of thieves and stoning murderers. According to Choudary, the Taliban’s willingness to implement sharia would demonstrate whether Afghanistan was truly an Islamic state or “just another country choosing Islam to be part of its name that it wishes everyone to call it by.”Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, August 20, 2021. On October 14, 2021, Choudary created the fourth iteration of his Telegram channel.Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, accessed October 18, 2021. He has continued to use the platform to call for the release of Islamists such as Bakri Muhammad and Abu Hamza al-Masri, who was convicted and sentenced to life in the United States in 2015 on terrorism charges.“Radical cleric Abu Hamza jailed for life by US court,” BBC News, January 9, 2015, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30754959. In an October 15, 2021, press release on his Telegram account, Choudary accused the United States of consciously deciding to allow Abu Hamza to die in prison.Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, October 15, 2021.
In September 2021, Choudary issued a call on his Telegram channel for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist imprisoned in the United States. He wrote, “The obligation upon us is to either free her physically or to ransom her or to exchange her.”Annabelle Timsit, Souad Mekhennet, and Terrence McCoy, “Who is Aafia Siddiqui? Texas synagogue hostage-taker allegedly sought release of ‘Lady al-Qaeda,’” Washington Post, January 16, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/16/aafia-siddiqui-texas-synagogue-hostages/. On January 15, 2022, British national Malik Faisal Akram took four hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, during Saturday morning services. Akram reportedly demanded to speak with Siddiqui. All four hostages escaped unharmed and Akram was killed later that night.Jake Bleiberg, “Ranting man takes hostages at Texas synagogue,” Associated Press, January 15, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/religion-texas-fort-worth-70bf98670cb880156cf5e1f1e4e08dcd; Alaa Elassar, Michelle Watson, and Alanne Orjoux, “FBI identifies hostage-taker at Texas synagogue,” CNN, January 16, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/16/us/colleyville-texas-hostage-situation-sunday/index.html. Investigators suspect Akram may have been motivated by a desire to have Siddiqui released. Congregation Beth Israel is 24 miles from the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, in Fort Worth, where Siddiqui is incarcerated. Akram’s relationship to Choudary is as-yet unclear and the FBI continues to investigate the influence of Siddiqui’s case on Akram.Zia ur-Rehman and Michael Levenson, “Officials Investigating Synagogue Attacker’s Link to 2010 Terror Case,” New York Times, January 17, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/17/world/europe/texas-synagogue-hostages-aafia-siddiqui.html. The day after Akram’s attack, Choudary renewed his calls online for a “Twitter storm” demanding Siddiqui’s release.“British Pro-ISIS Preacher Anjem Choudary Uses Texas Synagogue Hostage Incident As Opportunity To Launch New Twitter Storm Demanding Release Of Aafia Siddiqui,” MEMRI, January 19, 2022, https://www.memri.org/cjlab/british-pro-isis-preacher-anjem-choudary-uses-texas-synagogue-hostage-incident-opportunity. Choudary called for a scheduled Twitter storm on January 21 using the hashtags “#free_sister_aafia” and “#FreeTheAseer” at specific times in New York, London, Istanbul, Riyadh, Karachi, and Sydney.Anjem Choudary, “The Tragic Truth About Aafia Siddiqui!,” Anjem Choudary Official Blog, January 20, 2022.
Choudary has continued to seek out social media platforms. On August 30, 2021, the Daily Mail reported Choudary had joined Pinterest, Snapchat, and TikTok. Pointing to viral videos of people singing and dancing, Choudary told the Daily Mail there is a lot of “rubbish” on TikTok and he would use the platform “Islamically.”Abu Taher, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary boasts he is joining TikTok sparking fears he will target children with vile Islamist propaganda,” Daily Mail (London), last updated August 30, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9936571/Hate-preacher-Anjem-Choudary-boasts-joining-TikTok.html. Choudary boasted to the Daily Mail how easy it is to join social media and how he has “them all up my sleeve” and is “signed up to all of them… I’m on everything.”Abu Taher, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary boasts he is joining TikTok sparking fears he will target children with vile Islamist propaganda,” Daily Mail (London), last updated August 30, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9936571/Hate-preacher-Anjem-Choudary-boasts-joining-TikTok.html. By October 25, 2021, the fourth iteration of Choudary’s Telegram account had been deleted.Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, accessed October 25, 2021. Nonetheless, Choudary has boasted of creating new accounts, while his followers continue to spread his messages to social media platforms from which he is personally banned. In Choudary’s October 15 Telegram essay on Abu Hamza, for example, he called for a “Twitter storm” in support of the cleric.Anjem Choudary, Telegram channel, October 15, 2021. An October 2021 study by the United Kingdom’s Community Security Trust found Choudary’s name mentioned more than 43,000 times on Twitter since the expiration of the government restrictions.Lizzie Dearden, “Anjem Choudary orchestrating online campaigns in support of extremists despite Isis conviction,” Independent (London), October 24, 2021, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anjem-choudary-twitter-telegram-prison-b1943749.html. At the end of October 2021, Choudary created a channel on the video-sharing site Odysee. By the beginning of February 2022, he had posted more than 60 videos to the channel, though he had only nine followers.Anjem Choudary - Collection, Odysee, accessed February 7, 2022. Choudary’s website also hosts issues of Al-Aseer (“The Prisoner”), an English-language monthly magazine highlighting imprisoned jihadists.“Al-Aseer Magazine,” Anjem Choudary Official Blog, accessed February 7, 2022. In the magazine’s first issue in November 2021, Choudary wrote an essay calling the imprisonment of radical clerics a “humiliation” for Muslims as their only crime was “to believe in Allah.”Anjem Choudary, “The Tragedy of Muslim Prisoners In Our Times!,” Al-Aseer, November 2021, 3-4. The magazine’s second issue featured an essay on Siddiqui. Authorities suspect the magazine may have influenced Colleyville attacker Akram.Isaac Crowson, “‘ACT OF TERRORISM’ Brit hostage-taker who stormed Texas synagogue ‘influenced by hate preacher Anjem Choudary,’” Sun (London), January 17, 2022, https://www.the-sun.com/news/4479894/brit-hostage-texas-synagogue-influenced-by-anjem-choudary/.
Choudary’s so-called official blog was offline as of early March 2022, but he continued to post to his Blogspot-hosted Shariah is the Future website while seeking other ways to raise his public profile. On March 4, Choudary made his first public appearance at a demonstration since his release from prison when he attended a protest outside of Saudi Arabia’s embassy in London. Choudary reportedly attended to demand the release of prisoners and to demand Saudi Arabia adopt a strict form of sharia.Isaac Crowson, “ON THE STREETS Hate preacher Anjem Choudary attends demo after strict restrictions on his movements end,” Sun (London), March 5, 2022, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17851410/anjem-choudary-attends-demo/. Two days later, he reportedly spoke about filing a complaint with London’s Metropolitan Police for the return of more than 200 personal items confiscated from him in 2011. Among the items Choudary demanded back were a PlayStation and two Nintendo consoles. One source told the Sun Choudary was “fuming.”Isaac Crowson, “‘FUMING’ Hate preacher Anjem Choudary moans as cops kept his gaming consoles seized in raids,” Sun (London), March 6, 2022, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17862944/anjem-choudary-gaming-console-not-given-back/. Tory parliamentarian Nigel Mills called it “ironic” Choudary was “lobbying for the return of Western luxuries such as games consoles when he hates the West.”Isaac Crowson, “‘FUMING’ Hate preacher Anjem Choudary moans as cops kept his gaming consoles seized in raids,” Sun (London), March 6, 2022, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17862944/anjem-choudary-gaming-console-not-given-back/.
As of early May 2022, Choudary’s Telegram channel had once again been deleted. However, Choudary had created another “official blog” on Blogspot. His new official blog mirrored his Shariah is the Future site in design and content with essays and videos assailing Western values. Content on the sites dated back to March 2022. Both sites remained online as of May 10, 2022, despite Blogger’s ban on hate speech. Blogger defines hate speech as content that “promotes or condones violence against or has the primary purpose of inciting hatred against an individual or group on the basis of their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization.”“Blogger Content Policy,” Blogger.com, accessed May 10, 2022, https://www.blogger.com/content-policy. Both Blogspot sites were active as of May 10, 2022, but had been removed as of May 12.
While Choudary’s essays do not specifically call for violence, they debase non-Muslims and call for the elimination of non-Islamic ways of life. Choudary declares on his blog “Islam is superior and will never be surpassed,” as well as “shar’iah is the solution.”Anjem Choudary Official Blog, accessed May 10, 2022. In his biography on his sites, Choudary declares his devotion to seeing “the domination of the world by Islam.”Anjem Choudary Official Blog, accessed May 10, 2022. Choudary expresses his hope to one day see the United States, Europe, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the rest of the world “governed by and under the authority of the Muslims implementing Islamic Law,” and turning away from “the false Gods of Democracy and Freedom.”Anjem Choudary Official Blog, accessed May 10, 2022.
Evidence of Choudary’s ongoing influence continues to emerge. On October 15, 2021, Ali Harbi Ali stabbed to death British parliamentarian David Amess.Peter Stubley, “Ali Harbi Ali: What we know about suspect in murder of Sir David Amess MP,” Independent (London), October 18, 2021, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/amess-murder-mp-ali-harbi-ali-b1939934.html; Peter Nicholls and Ben Makori, “UK PM Johnson visits church where lawmaker stabbed to death,” Reuters, October 16, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-johnson-visits-church-where-lawmaker-was-stabbed-death-2021-10-16/. Ali had reportedly radicalized online and began watching Choudary’s lectures on YouTube while in high school. Friends allegedly warned Ali that Choudary was an extremist who hated the West, but Ali continued to watch Choudary’s videos.Isaac Crowson, Tom Wells, Nick Pisa, and Mike Sullivan, “TWISTED BY HATE Sir David Amess murder suspect ‘radicalised after watching YouTube videos of hate preacher Anjem Choudary,’” Sun (London), last updated October 18, 2021, https://www.the-sun.com/news/3876488/david-amess-murder-suspect-radicalise-anjem-choudary/. The day after Amess’s murder, Choudary suggested Amess had been killed for holding pro-Israel views. He emphasized he did not condone the murder, however.Abul Taher and Dominik Lemanski, “Preacher Anjem Choudary sparks fury by suggesting Sir David Amess may have been killed for being 'pro-Israel,’” Daily Mail (London), last updated October 17, 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10099513/Preacher-sparks-fury-suggesting-Sir-David-Amess-killed-pro-Israel.html. On April 11, 2022, London’s Central Criminal Court found Ali guilty of murder and preparing terrorist acts. During the trial, Ali claimed he targeted Sir David because of his votes in favor of airstrikes in Syria. On April 13, Ali was sentenced to life imprisonment.Holly Bancroft, “Sir David Amess: Ali Harbi Ali given whole life sentence for murder and planning terror attacks on other MPs,” Independent, April 13, 2022, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sir-david-amess-ali-harbi-ali-murder-terror-attack-b2056986.html; “ISIS supporter found guilty of killing British lawmaker David Amess,” Associated Press, April 11, 2022, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/britain-david-amess-killing-verdict-1.6415564. Following Ali’s sentencing, Choudary blamed Amess’s death on the United Kingdom’s refusal to allow Ali to leave the country to join ISIS.Dominik Lemanski, “David Amess would be alive if killer had joined IS, claims hate preacher,” Express (London), April 17, 2022, https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1597194/sir-david-amess-murder-ISIS-Anjem-Choudary-Ali-Harbi-Ali-syria-latest. In an online blogpost, Choudary accused the United Kingdom of radicalizing Ali through its “foreign policy in Syria and Iraq.”https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18286915/anjem-choudary-blames-britain-radicalising-mp-david-amesss-killer/. Choudary also wrote the media would “paint Ali as a monster.”Isaac Crowson, “‘DISGRACEFUL’ Hate preacher Anjem Choudary blames Britain for ‘radicalising’ MP David Amess’s killer,” Sun (London), April 17, 2022, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18286915/anjem-choudary-blames-britain-radicalising-mp-david-amesss-killer/.
After the end of government restrictions on his speech and movement, Choudary resumed meeting with past associates. In November 2021, Choudary admitted to London’s Express newspaper to meeting with Abu Izzadeen and other former associates from al-Muhajiroun. Referring to Izzadeen as a “close friend,” Choudary told the newspaper he would continue meeting with former associates and speaking out about a “clash of civilisations” between Islamic and Western culture.Dominik Lemanski, “Fears of reinstating terrorism group as extremist leaves prison and meets old friends, Express (London), November 28, 2021, https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1528390/terror-muslim-group-abu-izzadeen-trevor-brooks. Izzadeen told the paper he and Choudary would continue to “come out in society and challenge the dominant thoughts and ideas.”Dominik Lemanski, “Fears of reinstating terrorism group as extremist leaves prison and meets old friends, Express (London), November 28, 2021, https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1528390/terror-muslim-group-abu-izzadeen-trevor-brooks. Referring to Choudary as his “close brother,” Izzadeen declared they both want “to offer an Islamic alternative.”Dominik Lemanski, “Fears of reinstating terrorism group as extremist leaves prison and meets old friends, Express (London), November 28, 2021, https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1528390/terror-muslim-group-abu-izzadeen-trevor-brooks.
While Choudary continued to meet with his former colleagues and distribute propaganda online, he also attempted to overturn his conviction. In October 2017, London’s Court of Appeals rejected an appeal of Choudary’s conviction. The court ruled Choudary does not have “arguable” ground of appeal, and that his conviction was not “arguably unsafe.”George Keate, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary cannot appeal Isis conviction,” Times (London), October 19, 2017, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-cannot-appeal-isis-conviction-mt79p5wfk. In late January 2022, Choudary filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to overturn his 2016 conviction. Choudary told London’s Express newspaper his appeal was about “putting the facts of his case in the public domain.”Domink Lemanski, “‘Does he hold us for fools!?’ Anjem Choudary lodges new appeal with European Court,” Express (London), January 30, 2022, https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1558011/anjem-choudary-appeal-european-court-human-rights. He claimed there “was no support, verbal or otherwise for the Islamic State.”Domink Lemanski, “‘Does he hold us for fools!?’ Anjem Choudary lodges new appeal with European Court,” Express (London), January 30, 2022, https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1558011/anjem-choudary-appeal-european-court-human-rights.
Choudary returned to Twitter on October 29, 2022, creating a new account under the handle @THEanjemC. His first post announced his return and called for the global implementation of sharia. He subsequently called for the release of Muslim prisoners, including Siddiqui and Bakri Muhammad. He also called for the United Kingdom’s King Charles III and all other Christians to convert to Islam. He praised the value of sharia over democracy and communism, while warning thieves and adulterers would have their hands cut off after the implementation of sharia.Anjem Choudary, Twitter account, accessed November 1, 2022, https://twitter.com/THEanjemC. In an October 29 tweet, he labeled the United States the world’s biggest terrorist regime.Anjem Choudary, Twitter post, October 29, 2022, 3:47 p.m., https://twitter.com/THEanjemC/status/1586444579359686657. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Choudary called on billionaire Elon Musk, who had earlier that month completed his purchase of Twitter, to stay true to his pledge to protect free speech by allowing Choudary to remain on the platform.Darren Boyle, “Hate cleric Anjem Choudary returns to Twitter after ban with new account, telling Elon Musk: ‘If you’re true to your word, I’ll keep preaching online,’” Daily Mail (London), October 29, 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11369737/Hate-cleric-Anjem-Choudary-returns-Twitter-praising-Elon-Musks-free-speech-rule.html. After returning to Twitter, Choudary posted antisemitic, anti-Christian, and other hateful posts. In a November 2 tweet, Choudary declared Islamophobia is “normal from Jews and Christians,” warning “when they are happy with you, you need to worry” and asking followers if they stopped “believing in Jihad or Khilafah or the Shari’ah.”Anjem Choudary, Twitter post, November 2, 2022, 2:23 p.m., https://twitter.com/THEanjemC/status/1587873066805239808. In a November 3 tweet, Choudary labeled non-Muslims as “kufr,” infidels, with whom there can be no compromise.Anjem Choudary, Twitter post, November 3, 3:37 a.m., https://twitter.com/THEanjemC/status/1588072898790674432. A November 4 tweet labeled Jews and Christians as apostates who believed in falsehoods.Anjem Choudary, Twitter post, November 4, 4:15 a.m., https://twitter.com/THEanjemC/status/1588444759097384960. Choudary’s account was suspended over the weekend of November 5-6. Twitter cited multiple reports of violations of its hateful conduct policy by Choudary. According to Twitter, Choudary is not permitted to create new accounts.Twitter violation report, November 6, 2022.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry wrote about killing 25 Taliban militants while serving in Afghanistan between 2012 and 2013. The prince expressed neither shame nor satisfaction over his actions, instead comparing the deaths to removing pieces from a chessboard. The comparison sparked accusations of cruelty and protests in Afghanistan on January 8.“Harry’s new memoir draws anger and protests in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, January 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-nato-politics-taliban-prince-harry-603f12d84207e994dc16e556a556960d. In response to Harry’s claims, Choudary penned a new blog post entitled, “Muslim killer ‘Prince’ Harry Once Again Shows His True Colors!” Choudary accused Harry of callousness for comparing the deaths to chess pieces, calling for Muslims and non-Muslims everywhere to “do all they can to end the occupation of foreign forces from all Muslim countries, including Syria, Iraq and those in North Africa where many British soldiers are deployed.”Martin Evans, “Anjem Choudary calls Duke of Sussex a ‘Muslim killer’ and calls on jihadis to retaliate,” Telegraph (London), January 8, 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/08/anjem-choudary-calls-duke-sussex-muslim-killer-calls-jihadis/. Choudary also pointed to the British royal family’s “long and dark history of supporting the occupation of Muslim land, the usurpation of its resources and the oppression of Muslims.”Martin Evans, “Anjem Choudary calls Duke of Sussex a ‘Muslim killer’ and calls on jihadis to retaliate,” Telegraph (London), January 8, 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/08/anjem-choudary-calls-duke-sussex-muslim-killer-calls-jihadis/.
At dawn on July 17, 2023, police raided Choudary’s east London home and arrested him on terrorism charges. Seven hours later, counterterrorism authorities at London’s Heathrow Airport arrested a Canadian national upon his arrival from Canada. Choudary and the second suspect were charged with membership in a banned organization. In addition to the arrests, police searched three other addresses in London.Robert Mendick, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary arrested on suspicion of terror offence,” Telegraph (London), July 17, 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/17/hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-arrested-for-terror-offence/?s=09; “Men arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences,” Metropolitan Police, July 17, 2023, https://news.met.police.uk/news/men-arrested-on-suspicion-of-terrorism-offences-469915. On July 24, police announced Choudary had been charged with membership in a proscribed organization, directing a terrorist organization, and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organization—all in relation to al-Muhajiroun. Police identified the Canadian national as Khaled Hussein.“Radical UK Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary charged with three terrorist offences,” Reuters, July 24, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/radical-uk-islamist-preacher-anjem-choudary-charged-with-three-terrorist-2023-07-24/. On August 4, Choudary and Hussein appeared via video link for a preliminary hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court, also known as Old Bailey. Choudary and Hussein spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth. The court ordered Choudary and Hussein to both remain in custody until the trial. Emily Pennink, “May trial set for Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary,” Independent (London), August 4, 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/anjem-choudary-islamist-london-ilford-heathrow-b2387773.html.
Choudary is held in custody at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire. Hussein is held at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London. On March 25, 2024, Choudary appeared via video link at the Old Bailey. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of encouraging support for al-Muhajiroun while addressing meetings of the Islamic Thinkers Society.Matt Drake, “slamist preacher Anjem Choudary, 57, denies encouraging support for banned militant network Al-Muhajiroun as he appears at the Old Bailey,” Daily Mail (London), March 25, 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13236627/anjem-choudary-court-alm-khaled-hussain.html. Hussein also appeared via video link. Both men pleaded not guilty to membership in a banned organization.“Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary pleads not guilty to terrorism charges,” Associated Press, March 25, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/britain-radical-preacher-anjem-choudary-london-court-d8e78b054aafc2681358389519374300. Choudary and Hussein’s trial began at London’s Woolwich Crown Court on June 13, 2024. Prosecutors argued that Choudary took on a “caretaker” role for al-Muhajiroun just months after legal restrictions on him expired in July 2021.Rebecca Camber, “Radical preacher Anjem Choudary, 57, took on 'caretaker role' at terrorist group Al-Muhajiroun after being released from jail for supporting Islamic State, court hears,” Daily Mail (London), June 13, 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13527247/radical-preacher-anjem-choudary-accused-caretaker-role-terrorist-role-court.html. Choudary admitted he was one of three original members of al-Muhajiroun alongside Bakri Muhammad. Choudary admitted that he had endorsed ISIS in 2014 but claimed he never joined the terror group. He also said that prior to al-Muhajiroun being banned, he had sought as much publicity as possible for the group.Duncan Gardham, “Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary compares himself to Kevin Keegan at terror trial,” Sky News, July 1, 2024, https://news.sky.com/story/islamist-preacher-anjem-choudary-compares-himself-to-kevin-keegan-at-terror-trial-13162037. During the trial, Choudary also admitted to the court that a joke he made about the September 11 attacks in 2022 was “inappropriate.”Poppy Atkinson Gibson, “Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary tells court that a joke he made about 9/11 during lecture on the anniversary of terror attack was ‘inappropriate,’” Daily Mail (London), July 2, 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13593291/Islamist-preacher-Anjem-Choudary-tells-court-joke-9-11-lecture-anniversary-terror-attack-inappropriate.html.Choudary’s legal representatives argued that al-Muhajiroun was a failed organization that relied on dense theological lectures and was incomparable to al-Qaeda or ISIS.Dominici Casciani, “Anjem Choudary jailed for life,” BBC News, July 30, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3geqp8vx08o.
On July 30, 2024, Choudary was found guilty of directing al-Muhajiroun and encouraging support for the terror group through online meetings. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 28 years. Hussein was convicted of being a member of al-Muhajiroun. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional year of supervision after his release.Dominici Casciani, “Anjem Choudary jailed for life,” BBC News, July 30, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3geqp8vx08o.
The U.S. Department of State designated “Anjem Choudary” a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224 on March 30, 2017.“State Department Terrorist Designations of El Shafee Elsheikh, Anjem Choudary, Sami Bouras, Shane Dominic Crawford, and Mark John Taylor,” U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2017, https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-department-terrorist-designations-of-el-shafee-elsheikh-anjem-choudary-sami-bouras-shane-dominic-crawford-and-mark-john-taylor/index.html.
The United Kingdom added Anjem Choudary to its Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets on October 16, 2018.“Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK,” Gov.UK, last updated October 17, 2018, http://hmt-sanctions.s3.amazonaws.com/sanctionsconlist.htm.
The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the U.N. Security Council designated Anjem Choudary as an associate of ISIL on October 15, 2018.“Anjem Choudary,” U.N. Security Council, accessed January 25, 2022, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/anjem-choudary.
Propagandist: On trial for promoting support for ISIS, a banned terrorist group. The charges come in relation to Choudary speeches that appeared on the Internet in alleged violation of U.K. counter-extremism legislation.
Infamous extremist cleric in the U.K. who eulogized al-Awlaki following his death in 2011.
Propagandist: Internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter. Released on probation in 2018 under government restrictions, which expired in 2021.
Spoke alongside Faisal in online chatrooms and conferences following Faisal’s rise in popularity with the 2007 creation of the Revolution Muslim website.
Khaled Hussein Ali is the alleged leader of al-Qaeda’s online propaganda arm in Brazil, the Jihad Media Battalion (JMB). JMB publicized al-Qaeda’s attacks and distributed communications from its leaders in 17 countries. According to the Brazilian weekly Veja, Ali also provided logistical support for al-Qaeda operations. As of 2011, Ali lived in São Paulo, from where he reportedly ran the JMB.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/; Robin Yapp, “Brazil latest base for Islamic extremists,” Telegraph (London), April 3, 2011, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/8424929/Brazil-latest-base-for-Islamic-extremists.html.
Ali was reportedly born in Lebanon and served in the Lebanese military. In the early 1990s, he moved to São Paulo, where he married and ultimately obtained Brazilian legal residency status in 1998. In addition to his work for al-Qaeda, Ali also reportedly operated an Internet café.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/.
The Federal Police of Brazil arrested Ali in March 2009 after a four-month-long investigation of his activities in which Brazilian authorities collaborated with the FBI.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/; “PF manteve preso libanês que divulgava textos da al-Qaeda,” O Globo (Rio de Janiero), May 26, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/pf-manteve-preso-libanes-que-divulgava-textos-da-al-qaeda-3130641. The investigation was based on allegations that Ali led the JMB and distributed tasks to its members, such as translating videos featuring Osama bin Laden.Tatiana Farah, “Libanês acusado de ligação com al-Qaeda não pode deixar o Brasil; investigação é encerrada,” O Globo (Rio de Janeiro), May 28, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/libanes-acusado-de-ligacao-com-al-qaeda-nao-pode-deixar-brasil-investigacao-encerrada-3123005. In the investigation, authorities found that Ali had disseminated anti-Western, anti-Semitic, and other racial propaganda online on behalf of the JMB.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/; “PF manteve preso libanês que divulgava textos da al-Qaeda,” O Globo (Rio de Janiero), May 26, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/pf-manteve-preso-libanes-que-divulgava-textos-da-al-qaeda-3130641. Ali was indicted on charges of racism, incitement to crime, and gang formation.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/. Ali denied his involvement with the JMB. He was imprisoned for 21 days between April and May 2009,Tatiana Farah, “Libanês acusado de ligação com al-Qaeda não pode deixar o Brasil; investigação é encerrada,” O Globo (Rio de Janeiro), May 28, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/libanes-acusado-de-ligacao-com-al-qaeda-nao-pode-deixar-brasil-investigacao-encerrada-3123005. but authorities were unable to charge Ali with any offenses relating to terrorism, as Brazil’s penal code included no anti-terrorism laws until 2016.Da Redação, “Exclusivo: documentos da CIA, FBI e PF mostram como age a rede do terror islâmico no Brasil,” Veja (São Paulo), April 2, 2011, https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/exclusivo-documentos-da-cia-fbi-e-pf-mostram-como-age-a-rede-do-terror-islamico-no-brasil/; “PF manteve preso libanês que divulgava textos da al-Qaeda,” O Globo (Rio de Janiero), May 26, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/pf-manteve-preso-libanes-que-divulgava-textos-da-al-qaeda-3130641; “Brazil: New Anti-Terrorism Law Enacted,” Library of Congress, April 15, 2016, http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/brazil-new-anti-terrorism-law-enacted/. Ali was released on May 16, 2009, but was required to turn over his Lebanese passport to federal authorities so that he would not be able to leave Brazil in the future.“PF manteve preso libanês que divulgava textos da al-Qaeda,” O Globo (Rio de Janiero), May 26, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/pf-manteve-preso-libanes-que-divulgava-textos-da-al-qaeda-3130641; Tatiana Farah, “Libanês acusado de ligação com al-Qaeda não pode deixar o Brasil; investigação é encerrada,” O Globo (Rio de Janeiro), May 28, 2009, https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/libanes-acusado-de-ligacao-com-al-qaeda-nao-pode-deixar-brasil-investigacao-encerrada-3123005.
Zulfi Hoxha is an American senior commander in ISIS. He has also appeared in at least one propaganda video for the group. Before joining ISIS, Hoxha communicated with other American ISIS supporters on social media, who helped fund his travel to Syria. He departed for Syria in April 2015 and became a foreign fighter for ISIS.Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/.
Hoxha was born in the United States to Albanian parents. He grew up in Margate, New Jersey, and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 2010.Craig R. McCoy et al., “From Atlantic City High to ISIS: the path of a homegrown terrorist,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 19, 2018, http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/american-isis-commander-atlantic-city-margate-zulfi-hoxha-2-20180119.html. According to his mother, he attended a mosque, where he may have been radicalized.Ariel Zilber, “‘Liberate yourself from hellfire by killing a non-believer’: Terrorist seen executing a prisoner in vile ISIS propaganda video and urging lone wolf attacks in the US is a New Jersey high school graduate,” Daily Mail (London), January 19, 2018, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5290151/ISIS-soldier-seen-beheading-video-American.html.
Hoxha was active on social media before his departure for Syria. He reportedly operated a Twitter account on which he interacted with other ISIS supporters as well as the U.S. State Department’s “Think Again Turn Away” counter-propaganda account in October 2014. He was also active on the video gaming website Steam, where he reportedly first interacted with David Daoud Wright, a U.S.-born ISIS supporter who plotted to carry out a domestic terror attack, sometime before November 2014. Hoxha and Wright discussed their support for ISIS on Skype and the messaging app Paltalk, where they participated in pro-ISIS chatrooms and shared ISIS propaganda materials with each other, including execution videos and the magazine Dabiq. Wright and his uncle Usaamah Abdullah Rahim––who was later shot and killed by law enforcement officers after he tried to attack them with a large knife––sold a laptop on Craigslist to help Hoxha raise money for the plane ticket that he would use to travel overseas to join ISIS.Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/.
Hoxha departed the United States for Istanbul, Turkey, on April 6, 2015. By April 10, he had arrived at an ISIS training camp in Syria. Hoxha informed Rahim of his arrival in ISIS territory through an encrypted messaging app. After Hoxha began training, Rahim continued to receive updates on his activities from British ISIS facilitator Junaid Hussain.Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/. According to U.S. law enforcement, Hoxha was a senior ISIS commander as of 2017.Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/.
Hoxha has also represented ISIS in the group’s propaganda videos. In May 2017, Hoxha appeared in an ISIS propaganda video filmed in northwestern Iraq entitled “We Will Surely Guide Them To Our Ways.” In the video, masked and using the name “Abu Hamza al-Amriki,” Hoxha calls upon supporters to carry out domestic terror attacks within the United States. Hoxha’s identity in the video was confirmed by the the U.S. government.Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/. Another ISIS propaganda video released in October 2015 shows an American ISIS fighter beheading a Kurdish soldier. According to the Atlantic, the American speaks with “the same accent and inflection as Hoxha in the May 2017 release.”Seamus Hughes et al., “A New American Leader Rises in ISIS,” Atlantic, January 13, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/isis-america-hoxha/550508/.
Left the United States in April 2015 to join ISIS in Syria. His travel was facilitated by David Daoud Wright and Usaamah Abdullah Rahim. Became a senior commander for ISIS and has featured in at least one ISIS propaganda video himself.
Shared the ISIS propaganda magazine Dabiq and ISIS propaganda videos, including one depicting a Jordanian pilot being burned alive with David Daoud Wright on Skype and Paltalk messenger before departing for Syria.
Mirsad Kandic was a Kosovo-born U.S. legal permanent resident who traveled from New York to Istanbul, Turkey, in 2013 to work as a recruiter for ISIS. In this role, he made arrangements for foreign fighters from around the world to travel to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS, including Australian teenager Jake Bilardi who carried out a suicide attack in March 2015. Kandic also worked for the terrorist group’s media arm, managing more than 100 propaganda accounts on Twitter.“New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. Kandic relocated to Bosnia in January 2017, where he went into hiding, and was arrested by Bosnian authorities in July.Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4; “Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta. He was charged with one count of conspiracy and five counts of providing material support to a terrorist organization by a Brooklyn federal court in August and extradited to the United States on October 31 to await trial.Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4; “United States of America v. Mirsad Kandic,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 27, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1008001/download.
Kandic was born in Kosovo in 1981.“Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta. Sometime before 2005, he immigrated to the United States, where he became a legal permanent resident and resided in the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York. In 2005, Kandic reportedly expressed a desire to travel to the Middle East and wage violent jihad against U.S. military forces. He was placed on the U.S. no-fly list.“United States of America v. Mirsad Kandic,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 27, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1008001/download; “New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states; Emily Saul, “Brooklyn-man-turned-ISIS propagandist extradited to US,” New York Post, November 1, 2017, http://nypost.com/2017/11/01/brooklyn-man-turned-isis-%E2%80%8Bpropagandist-extradited-to-us/.
Kandic traveled to Istanbul, Turkey in December 2013, reportedly using fake documents to circumvent his designation on the no-fly list.“Ex-New Yorker accused of trying to recruit for ISIS,” CBS News, November 1, 2017, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-new-yorker-accused-of-trying-to-recruit-for-isis/; “New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. He joined ISIS and worked for the group from Turkey. In his primary role as recruiter, Kandic communicated with potential foreign fighter recruits and helped them arrange documentation and travel plans so that they could travel to Iraq and Syria and join ISIS. Kandic allegedly recruited individuals from around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4; “United States of America v. Mirsad Kandic,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 27, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1008001/download; “New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. In a recorded voice memo to an ISIS associate, Kandic reportedly stated that he recruited over 20,000 individuals in total.“New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. One of Kandic’s recruits was Jake Bilardi, an Australian teenager known as “Jihadi Jake” who traveled to the Middle East in August 2014. Kandic helped Bilardi arrange his travel from Melbourne to Istanbul, and also encouraged him to carry out a suicide attack, stating that he hoped that his organs would “implode.” After Bilardi carried out a suicide attack in Ramadi, Iraq, on March 11, 2015, Kandic publicized the attack on Twitter.Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4; “New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states; Jared Owens and Paul Maley, “Aussie teen Jake Bilardi carries out suicide bombing says Islamic State,” Australian (Surry Hills), March 12, 2015, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/aussie-teen-jake-bilardi-carries-out-suicide-bombing-says-islamic-state/news-story/bafd57d595452aa84600ece89fe98043.
Kandic also managed some of ISIS’s social media accounts and propagandized on behalf of the group. He controlled more than 100 Twitter accounts through which he provided updates about ISIS’s attacks and territorial gains.“New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. He also expressed praise for major ISIS-claimed terror attacks around the world, including the May 2015 shooting in Garland, Texas, and the November 2015 Paris attacks.Emily Saul, “Brooklyn-man-turned-ISIS propagandist extradited to US,” New York Post, November 1, 2017, http://nypost.com/2017/11/01/brooklyn-man-turned-isis-%E2%80%8Bpropagandist-extradited-to-us/. Kandic reportedly also used WhatsApp to communicate with high-ranking ISIS officials.“OPASNI SARADNIK ISIL-A IZRUČEN SAD-u: Teroristički logističar skrivao se pola godine na Grbavici!” Oslobođenje (Sarajevo), October 31, 2017, https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/vijesti/bih/opasni-saradnik-isil-a-izrucen-sad-u-teroristicki-logisticar-skrivao-se-pola-godine-na-grbavici. In one online communication, Kandic stated that he worked in ISIS’s Border Office in Turkey and helped to conduct background checks of foreign fighter recruits. He also stated that he frequently traveled into ISIS territory, including ISIS’s de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria, for his work.“New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states. According to Bosnian Minister of Security Dragan Mektić, Kandic also oversaw weapons supply and was the head of ISIS’s intelligence service.“Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta.
The United States issued a warrant for Kandic’s arrest in 2014, and an Interpol Red Notice was issued for his arrest in 2016.“SAD: Mirsad Kandić optužen za pomaganje ISIL-u,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 2, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/sad-mirsad-kandic-optuzen-za-pomaganje-isil-u. In January 2017, Kandic relocated to Bosnia, entering the country under the alias “Ivan Popović.”Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4; “Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta. According to Bosnian Minister of Security Mektić, Kandic had at least ten false identities. Once in Bosnia, Kandic went into hiding under the alias “Edin Radončić.”“Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta. However, after a transmission on his mobile phone alerted Bosnian authorities of his presence in the country in January, they immediately launched a search for him.“OPASNI SARADNIK ISIL-A IZRUČEN SAD-u: Teroristički logističar skrivao se pola godine na Grbavici!” Oslobođenje (Sarajevo), October 31, 2017, https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/vijesti/bih/opasni-saradnik-isil-a-izrucen-sad-u-teroristicki-logisticar-skrivao-se-pola-godine-na-grbavici. Bosnia’s State Investigation and Protection Agency discovered his location in Sarajevo on July 4 and arrested him shortly afterward.“Mektić o hapšenju u Sarajevu: Saradnik ISIL-a koristio deset identiteta,” Al Jazeera Balkans, November 1, 2017, http://balkans.aljazeera.net/vijesti/mektic-o-hapsenju-u-sarajevu-saradnik-isil-koristio-deset-identiteta. On August 17, a federal court in Brooklyn charged him with one count of conspiracy and five counts of providing material support to a terrorist organization, which carry the possibility of a life prison sentence if convicted.“United States of America v. Mirsad Kandic,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 27, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1008001/download; “New York Resident Charged With Providing Material Support to ISIS, Extradited to United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isis-extradited-united-states; “Ex-New Yorker accused of trying to recruit for ISIS,” CBS News, November 1, 2017, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-new-yorker-accused-of-trying-to-recruit-for-isis/. Kandic was extradited to the United States on October 31, and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him the following day in Brooklyn federal court.Brendan Pierson, “Former Brooklyn resident charged in U.S. with aiding Islamic State,” Reuters, November 1, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-islamic-state/former-brooklyn-resident-charged-in-u-s-with-aiding-islamic-state-idUSKBN1D15L4.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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