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Treason threat cleric 'leaves UK'
BBC ^

Posted on 08/08/2005 2:31:32 PM PDT by traumer

A controversial Islamic cleric has left the UK for the Middle East, his spokesman has said, amid speculation he would be investigated for treason.

Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed - former head of radical group Al Muhajiroun - left on Saturday for Lebanon, his colleague Anjem Choudary told the BBC. Tony Blair had warned Mr Mohammed's organisation faced a potential ban under new anti-terrorism measures.

Mr Choudary said the cleric believed "Britain had declared war on Muslims".

The news came as it was revealed police and lawyers were to consider whether some outspoken Islamist radicals could face treason charges.

He has felt that he has been unable to practice his religion - Anjem Choudary

The Crown Prosecution Service's head of anti-terrorism will meet Scotland Yard officers in the next few days. Abu Izzadeen and Abu Uzair, along with Omar Bakri Mohammed, are expected to come under scrutiny.

The crime of betraying one's country has long been regarded as one of the most serious of offences. The death penalty for the offence was abolished only in 1998 and it now carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

TRIO FACING SCRUTINY Omar Bakri Mohammed, cleric for al-Muhajiroun. Its successor group the Saviour Sect being banned. Said he would not tell police if knew of UK bomb attack plans; supported Muslims who attacked British troops. Abu Izzadeen, British-born, spokesman for al-Ghurabaa [the Strangers]. Would not condemn 7 July London bombings. Told BBC they would make people "wake up and smell the coffee". Abu Uzair, former al-Muhajiroun member, told BBC the 11 September attacks were "magnificent". Said Muslims did not "live in peace" with the UK any more.

But the government's reviewer of anti-terror laws, Lord Carlile QC, said he did not think it would be appropriate to bring treason charges.

Last week Mr Blair said Mr Mohammed's Al Muhajiroun or its successor organisations would be banned.

The cleric last year announced he was disbanding the organisation - although its former members have been linked to two new radical bodies.

Mainstream Muslim organisations have denounced the cleric's views, saying that he does not represent the true voice of Islam.

Speaking to the BBC News Website, Mr Choudary - the former right hand man of Bakri Mohammed - said the cleric no longer believed Britain was a safe country for Muslims.

Abu Uzair and Abu Izzadeen were also expected to be investigated

"He flew out on Saturday and used a Lebanese passport that he recently got from the embassy." he said.

"What he has done is made the 'hirja' to another place because he has felt that he has been unable to practice his religion.

"He believes that war has been declared against Muslims in the country. He has decided to go elsewhere."

The Arabic word 'hirja' commonly means to seek religious sanctuary and refers to an event in the early years of Islam's history.

Mr Choudary said that Bakri Mohammed's final destination was at present unclear. He had no intention of going to his home country of Syria but may end up in one of the Emirate countries, he said.

Family remain

The cleric had said his followers would soon be able to "access him" with a planned new presence on the internet and that the British people would hear from him soon.

Asked if Bakri Mohammed had gone because he feared being either deported or prosecuted for his militant views, Mr Choudary said: "He was not afraid to stay behind [in the UK] for any reason at all. It's a case of him being able to practice his religion.

"But he has always said that if the British people did not want him to stay, then he would go."

Mr Choudary said that Mr Mohammed's family had remained behind in Britain and that he had not disposed of his assets in the country - but he was "sure" that the radical preacher would not be returning because he did not hold a British passport.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: britain; dontletthedoorhitya; finalcrusade; islam; jihad; muslims; progress; terrorism; wherethelordsplitya
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To: traumer
He has felt that he has been unable to practice his religion - Anjem Choudary

Religion, Anjem? You call that a religion?

A reminder of what Anjem himself has said:

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Anjem Choudray is a man with grand designs. "One day the black flag of Islam will be flying over Downing Street," he says.

"As the spokesman for the Al-Muhajiroun ("the immigrants"), a radical Islamic movement in Britain which seeks to establish Islamic supremacy and calls for a jihad against opponents of Islam, he is determined to get his message across.

" "Lands will not be liberated by individuals, but by an army. Eventually there'll have to be a Muslim army. It's just a matter of time before it happens." "

21 posted on 08/08/2005 4:09:20 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: texasbluebell

Link for above quote:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=8648


22 posted on 08/08/2005 4:09:41 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: traumer

"Britain [has] declared war on Muslims"

Has a nice ring to it.


23 posted on 08/08/2005 4:15:25 PM PDT by Ben Chad
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To: texasbluebell

How does this dirt bag just leaves the country? The brits are starting to worry me.Is anyone watching the store or is everyone on holiday?


24 posted on 08/08/2005 4:17:39 PM PDT by magua
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To: magua

I don't know, but the UK officials must be breathing a sigh of relief that he's out.

Now let's hope they can keep him out, not to mention a few more of those "religious" leaders.


25 posted on 08/08/2005 4:23:30 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: traumer

WOW! Even the threat is working. Not a bad piece of news at all. Hope alot more follow his example.


26 posted on 08/08/2005 4:43:14 PM PDT by commonasdirt (Reading DU so you won't hafta)
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To: traumer

always refreshing to see the "bravery" of the moon god cult leaders...


27 posted on 08/08/2005 5:01:23 PM PDT by snuffy smiff ("the theory of Communism may be summed up in a single sentence:abolition of private property"-K.Marx)
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To: untrained skeptic
"He believes that war has been declared against Muslims in the country. He has decided to go elsewhere."

It has. So must America.

28 posted on 08/08/2005 5:38:31 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: traumer

Not good enough.

Sending this man back to his home country is not really punishment. He should have been charged, placed in a cell pending trial and after conviction and a very long prison term then -- and only then -- kicked out.

He'll still work against us in his old country.


29 posted on 08/08/2005 5:52:10 PM PDT by aculeus (Ceci n'est pas une tag line.)
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