Overview

Khaled Hussein is allegedly a member of the London-based Islamic Thinkers Society, an alias for al-Muhajiroun, a U.K.-designated terror group. Hussein, a Canadian national, is reportedly a close associate of former al-Muhajiroun leader Anjem Choudary, an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737.

According to media reports, Hussein is a resident of Edmonton, Canada and had joined al-Muhajiroun sometime around 2021. At some point after joining the group, Hussein reportedly became a close associate of Choudary and, according to court records, was “in effect working for him.”Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. During his time with al-Muhajiroun, Hussein primarily focused on work in “the online space to provide a platform for the words and messages of the organisation.”Tristan Kirk, “Anjem Choudary in court over claims he ‘directed’ a terrorist group, Evening Standard, July 24, 2023, https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/anjem-choudary-court-over-claims-070902679.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE__JZUPlsbCKnnJ-LpT7xJbJx61tShxEylpDuGuqWuf1eaECOHUQxyuz2CRKfyco5rP1rwWQfOaWOYWQXxySKgfef-UZWsrDSlDeEOoG0PL4DEM_bJ0ILGwB5ppk6b8w_6wVa-MPAm7FXZdVTZjEg-IJjZ7xsOcWeJkjouZhqQM.

Under two aliases—Al Ghurabaa and Saved Sect—al-Muhajiroun was first proscribed by the U.K. in 2006 for glorifying terrorism.“Explanatory Memorandum To The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2006,” U.K. Home Office, July 2006,  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2016/pdfs/uksiem_20062016_en.pdf. The ban was further expanded in 2010 to include other aliases of the group, including al-Muhajiroun.Sean Seddon and Daniel Sandford, “Anjem Choudary in court over 'terror group' charges,” July 24, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66287379.

Following an investigation into al-Muhajiroun membership, U.K. counterterrorism detectives arrested Hussein on July 17, 2023, at London’s Heathrow Airport. Hussein was charged with suspicion of terrorism offenses.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. Choudary was arrested at his London home that same day.“Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary is charged with directing a terrorist organization,” Associated Press, July 24, 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/radical-british-preacher-anjem-choudary-charged-directing-terrorist-101606712.

On July 24, 2023, England’s Crown Prosecution Service charged Hussein with membership in a proscribed organization.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. Both men are scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court in London on August 4, 2023.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. According to the U.K. Terrorism Act 2000, those found guilty of membership in a proscribed organization face a maximum of 14 years in prison.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737; “Terrorism Act 2000,” U.K. Legislation, July 24, 2023, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/11.