Britain feared attacks by Islamic militants. During a raid Scotland Yard has now arrested nine men suspected of terrorism. Among them is the well-known al-Qaida hate preacher Anjem Choudary.

British police have arrested one of the most notorious Islamists in the country. Anjem Choudary is considered to be leader of the banned organization al-Muhajiroun. He preached the introduction of Sharia law and demanded the restoration of the Islamic Caliphate.

The former lawyer and self-proclaimed preacher praised Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, organized annual celebrations on September 11, and hailed the 9/11 bombers as “the magnificent 19”. The two men, the British soldier Lee Rigby beheaded in 2013 on the open road, had contact with al-Muhajiroun.

Scotland Yard accuses Anjem Choudary and eight others arrested for inciting terrorism and membership and support of illegal organizations. A real danger for the population, however, have failed.

Terrorist Arrested UK:19 raids in London and Stoke-on-Trent

A number of residential, business or community properties – 11 in east London, one in west London, one in northwest London, five in south London and one in Stoke-on-Trent – are also being searched as part of the investigation.

A statement from the Met Police said: “These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist related terrorism and are not in response to any immediate public safety risk.”

This week, Choudary was reported to have said he had no sympathy for aid worker Alan Henning, who has been captured by the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

He reportedly said: “In the Koran it is not allowed for you to feel sorry for non Muslims. I don’t feel sorry for him.”

The men 22-51 years of age were arrested in a raid with 19 raids in London and Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday morning. The application was part of ongoing investigations against Islamist terrorism, Scotland Yard said.

Britain had raised the terror alert in August to the second highest level. Attacks by militant Islamists were likely. Prime Minister David Cameron said the terrorist organization “Islamic State” is the biggest threat to the security of the country.

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