article_snippet: hate preacher Anjem Choudary, has been linked to a series of atrocities and plots dating back to 1997.
article_snippet: A new book by terrorism expert Raffaello Pantucci has now found that since A new book by terrorism expert Raffaello Pantucci formation in the 1980s, Group has been central to Islamic extremism in the UK.
article_snippet: It is thought the first known violence directly linked to Group took place in 1997, when a member of the organisation attacked a police officer.
article_snippet: Despite having been banned in 2005, Group has morphed to take on a series of other names, and Group influence continues to be felt, with Brustholm Ziamani, who was sentenced last week for plotting an attack inspired by that on Lee Rigby, also having been inspired by al-Muhajiroun.
article_snippet: Mr Pantucci, who studies extremism for defence forum
article_snippet: The Royal United Services Institute, said Group sold The Royal United Services Institute followers a radical interpretation of Islam which often inspired its followers to  commit violence.
article_snippet: al-Muhajiroun told MailOnline: 'It is an oversimplification just to write its followers off as outcasts or losers, some of its followers have been involved in quite serious gang activity or crime in the past and end up finding this as a kind of redemption for its followers activity. '
article_snippet: Hate preacher Anjem Choudary (left) was once a leader of Group before Group was banned.
article_snippet: Mr Pantucci said that Group's influence had been underestimated in the past and hoped Mr Pantucci book - whose title We Love Death
article_snippet: Anjem Choudary, who remains in Britain, later became the public face of the organisation, which re-emerged as groups called Islam4UK and Need4Khalafah after it was banned.
highlights_snippet: Group linked to more than 20 plots or attacks carried out since 1997 .
  
highlights_snippet: Government has banned Group but Group morphed into other organisations .
  
highlights_snippet: Expert says the radical Islam they preach inspires terrorists to violence .