Freedom of speech is nowhere completely free. The law excludes conspiracy and incitement to commit crimes, or, as with shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater, to produce mayhem. In wartime, and a part of Islam seems committed to warring continuously with the west, democratic and open societies may also choose to outlaw seditious speech while tightening up on that traitorous speech related to spying.
As Choudary believes himself Muslim, as do the host of Brotherhood and Hezbollah elements, he speaks as if Muslim while embracing a regressive and retrograde agenda for all others. I doubt his case will produce much sympathy, if any, outside of Islamic circles.
While one may swear to defend to the death disagreeable political speech, the threat of imminent death associated with the speaker’s rant may draw the limit on that that principle and sentiment.
All the men were held on suspicion of being a member of, or backing a banned terrorist group and supporting terrorism. The alleged offences, which come under two counter- terrorism acts, carry a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
Choudary was arrested at an unknown location after fleeing his home two weeks ago in the middle of the night in the wake of threats from far-Right groups.
Just hours before he was held, he posted a burst of nine inflammatory messages on Twitter, branding the US bombing raids as a ‘rallying call for Muslims’ and labelling the actions of Western governments in Muslim countries as ‘terrorism’.
We will probably hear in relation to Choudary’s arrest the same sociopathic cant reserved for Aafia Siddiqui, by temperament a different kind of plotter but with much the same destruction, hate, and mayhem in mind.
Update: How Dangerous Can He Be?
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/26/anjem-choudary-released-on-bail – 9/26/2014.
Not to make light of court decisions made between fair modern British law and a feudal demagogue and rabble-rouser, perhaps the Crown has done right by treating Choudary no differently than anyone else.
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