A prominent Pakistani politician charged by UK police with "encouraging terrorism" in a speech has appeared in court.
Altaf Hussain, founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), is alleged to have carried out a terrorism offence when a speech he made was broadcast a speech to crowds Pakistan's capital Karachi.
Under the Terrorism Act 2006, the speech published on August 22, 2016 is deemed to have encouraged "the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
Hussain is a British citizen who has been living in London for over two decades, after going into exile in 1992. Now in his 60s, Hussein lives in Mill Hill, in north-west London.
He was arrested at his home in June this year. Metropolitan Police said he was charged on October 10.
Hussain appeared that day at Westminster Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear at the Old Bailey today.
He has been further bailed to appear at the Old Bailey for another hearing in March, 2020. A trial has provisionally been set to start on June 1 next year.
