Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary faces May trial on terrorism charges

A London judge has set a May trial date for radical British preacher Anjem Choudary. The 56-year-old and a Canadian co-defendant appeared from jail by video link Friday in Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey. Choudary is charged with leading a terrorist organization, membership in a banned organization and addressing meetings to encourage support for that organization, the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun. Co-defendant Khaled Hussein also is charged with membership in the group. Prosecutors say it has operated under many names since the British government outlawed al-Muhajiroun in 2010, including the Islamic Thinkers Society, prosecutors said. A judge scheduled a Jan. 5 plea hearing and a provisional trial date of May 20.