![UK cleric flees to Lebanon as treason charges considered](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] Omar Bakri Mohammed, one of the Muslim clerics being investigated by British authorities for remarks supporting the London bombers [JURIST report], left the country on Saturday and is now in Lebanon. Mohammed reportedly praised insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan while vowing not to inform authorities if he learned any information about plans for future terrorist attacks. British authorities have been considering charging him with treason for the statements, but one government official said treason [Wikipedia backgrounder] charges were unlikely as the law is "very specific" and other charges would be "more appropriate". From London, the Independent has local coverage.
11:40 AM ET – Bakri said Tuesday that he plans to return to Britain within four to six weeks. He told the BBC: "I am going to return back, unless the government say we are not welcome, because my family is in the UK. I do not think I will have any problem returning," he said. AP has more.