Anjem Choudary jailed in UK for five-and-a-half years for supporting Deash

LONDON: Radical cleric Anjem Choudary, long a thorn in the side of British authorities, was Tuesday jailed in Britain for five-and-a-half years after being convicted of encouraging support for the Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIL, ISIS and by its Arabic acronym Daesh.

Supporters of the 49-year-old and his co-defendant Mohammed Mizanur Rahman – who received the same sentence – shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) from the public gallery as judge Timothy Holroyde announced his decision in London, according to an AFP journalist.

Choudary had been convicted previously by a jury at London's Old Bailey court of using online lectures and messages to encourage support for the banned group which controls large areas of Syria and Iraq. – AFP/Reuters