Anjem Choudary, the radical London Islamist imam who warned Fox News' Sean Hannity that sharia law was coming to America, has been arrested and charged with encouraging terrorism.
Choudary, 47, was among nine men charged in London on Thursday of being members of a banned organization and for promoting terrorist activity.
The BBC reports that officials are searching 19 sites. The men arrested were between the ages of 22 and 51.
Officials said the arrests are part of an ongoing investigation and had nothing to do with any immediate threat to the public.
Choudary was the leader of al-Muhajiroun, which was banned by Great Britian in 2010. Many of the former members then joined other groups, including Islam4UK and Muslims Against Crusades, which were also banned.
Choudary is Britain's most visible radical Islamist, and is disliked by many of the country's moderate Muslims who fear his radical words, including praise for the 9/11 terrorists, threaten their own standing in British society.
Choudary appeared on Fox News Channel's "Hannity" on August 27, defending the Islamic State (ISIS) and saying that reports it beheaded and crucified people were untrue.
Hannity continued pushing Choudary in that debate, eventually telling him, "I don't want your sharia law."
"You will have no choice, Sean," Choudary said with a broad smile on his face. "It's coming to a place near you."
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