For several years Bakri was one of the most infamous , high-profile Islamists based in London , and was frequently quoted and interviewed in the UK media . In December 2004 he vowed that Muslims would give the West " a 9/11 , day after day after day , " if Western governments did not change their policies . He has been described as " closely linked to al-Qaeda " — having released prepared statements from Osama bin Laden after the 1998 United States embassy bombings — but also as the " Tottenham Ayatollah " , " little more than a loudmouth , " and " a figure of fun . " In 2005 , following the 7 July 2005 London bombings , '' The Sunday Times '' reported that " a dozen members " of his group Al-Muhajiroun " have taken part in suicide bombings or have become close to Al-Qaeda and its support network . " Shortly after , he left the UK , where he had sheltered for 20 years , for Lebanon . While there he was informed by the Home Office that he would not be allowed back into the UK . Lebanon 's state-run National News Agency said on 12 November 2010 that Bakri was among 54 people sentenced by a military court to life in prison with hard labour after being accused of acts of terrorism . After the decision Bakri told reporters , he would " not spend one day in prison " , and said , " I will not hand myself in to any court . I do not believe in the law in Britain as in Lebanon . " On 14 November 2010 he was arrested by the Lebanese police and was transferred to Beirut
7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
Omar Bakri Muhammad