Radical preacher Anjem Choudary released from prison

Choudary was jailed in 2016 after inviting support for so-called Islamic State

Having served half of his custodial sentence for inviting support for so-called Islamic State, Anjem Choudary was released from Belmarsh prison on Friday. Jailed for five-and-a-half-years in September 2016, the 51-year-old headed an extremist network that included the terrorists who killed the soldier Lee Rigby in 2013. Authorities had initially struggled to act on Choudary's behaviour as the former solicitor ensured he stayed within the law, but he was described as "calculating and dangerous" when sentenced alongside confidant Mohammed Mizanur Rahman. The radical preacher being freed comes under legislation that allows prisoners to serve the final part of their time back in the community, under strict conditions known as 'on license'. Friday's release means Choudary served only half of his sentence, with four months previously served on bail with an electronic tag before conviction. Authorities have banned the Ilford resident from making media appearances as he exits prison under strict supervision to prevent him from returning to radicalising potential extremists. Choudary is the former head of the al-Muhajiroun network which did not organise terror attacks but was considered hugely influential in generating extremist views.