Hussain is accused of drumming up support for ISIS at the Stoke mosque

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Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court today wearing a light grey prison sweatsuit, he spoke only to confirm his name after giving the peace symbol to his brother in the public gallery.

The court heard Hussain is accused of drumming up support for the sick death cult, as well as influencing his congregation to carry out terrorist acts on behalf of ISIS, also known as Daesh.

All charges relate to six sermons delivered at the mosque, located on the High Street in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, between June 24 and September 16 last year.

At the brief hearing, the 39-year-old’s defence lawyer Matt Foot said Hussain will plead not guilty to two counts of addressing a meeting at the mosque, with the alleged purpose being to “encourage support for a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities”.