Police arrested a radical Muslim preacher in London yesterday, just after he tweeted "Muslims will prevail" over the Christians in Iraq and Syria.
Anjem Choudary, 47, was one of nine arrested yesterday under anti-terror legislation. A further two arrests have been made today.
Arrested with him were supporters of Al-Muhajiroun, the Islamist organisation he founded 20 years ago, and that was blacklisted by the government in 2010.
Scotland Yard said yesterday that it was searching 19 properties, including the sweet shop, Yummy Yummy, owned by Choudary's brother.
Among Choudary's followers are the two men convicted of the brutal murder of Fusilier Drummer Lee Rigby in south London last year.
The arrests are not connected with a planned terror attack. However, police have long been monitoring Choudary's activity, particularly any language showing support for the rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
"There is no doubt that Mr Choudary and his supporters are an influence on people who are going to Syria," one source told the Times. "He has always watched his words carefully but recently he and others seem to have become increasingly supportive of what is going on in Syria and Iraq."
It is a criminal offence to be a member of Al-Muhajiroun. The group's co-founder, Omar Bakri Mohammed, was exiled after showing public support for the 7/7 terrorist bombings in London. A number of splinter groups from Al-Muhajiroun have also been banned.
The nine were arrested on suspicion of belonging to and supporting a proscribed organisation in breach of the Terrorism Act 2000 as well as encouraging and supporting terrorism contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.
Choudary is a trained solicitor, and was the chairman of the Chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers. He has always denied accusations that he has glorified terrorism.
He is a controversial figure among Muslims in the UK, as many believe he damages the reputation of Islam.
Just before his arrest he tweeted "FACT: It has already been foretold by Muhammad(saw) that Muslims & Christians will fight a big battle in As-Sham & that Muslims will prevail".
FACT: The Islamic State could not wish for a better rallying call for Muslims worldwide to join them than for the USA to start bombing again
— Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) September 25, 2014 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">
