16:07 25 September 2014
Nine men, aged between 22 and 51, have been arrested in London and remain in custody on suspicion of being members of a ‘proscribed organisation or supporting a proscribed organisation’. Among them is radical preacher Anjem Choudary.
The organisation is believed to be Al Muhajiroun, which was set up by Choudary and Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, who was told he could not return to the UK after the 7/7 bombings.
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, Choundry said he had no sympathy for aid worker Alan Henning, who has been captured by the Islamic State 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."