Trial of UK Islamic preacher postponed

London: The trial of a radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary, accused of inviting support for the terror group Islamic State, was today postponed by a British court here until March.

Choudary, charged with inviting support for Islamic State (ISIS) on social media, was due for trial at the Old Bailey court in London from tomorrow.

But at a brief hearing today, the case was moved back to March 7 with a further preparatory hearing this Thursday.

It was confirmed that Justice Holroyde will be the trial judge and prosecutor Richard Whittam will present the case at the trial expected to last around four weeks.

Choudary, 48, and his 32-year-old co-accused, Mohammed Rahman, are both charged with inviting support for the banned terror group ISIS between 29 June 2014 and 6 March 2015, by posting on social media.

Choudarywas released from the top-security Belmarsh prison in September after being granted bail by Justice Saunders, who set out 10 strict conditions, including not using electronic devices, having a surety provided of 15,000 pounds and non-association with co-defendants or others arrested in September 2014 or linked arrests in December 2014.

He was taken into custody again in November after he breached the terms of his bail and granted conditional bailagain last month until the trial.

Rahman is also out on conditional bail.

Both accused deny supporting a terrorist organisation and were in the dock for today’s hearing.