Four men charged with terror offences after 'encouraging support for IS'

Four men have been charged with terrorism offences after they allegedly encouraged support for Islamic State, Scotland Yard said.

The men, all in their 30s and from Luton, were detained by counter-terrorism officers last week.

They have been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday.

All of the men have been charged with offences under the Terrorism Act.

Mohammed Istiak Alamgir, 36, has been charged with four counts of addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities, on June 29, July 7, July 11 and July 15.

Ziaur Rahman, 38, is charged with three counts of managing or assisting in arranging a meeting, which he knew was to support a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities, on July 7, July 11 and July 15.

Yousaf Bashir, 35, is charged with addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities on June 29.

Rajib Khan, 37, faces a charge of arranging, managing or assisting in arranging a meeting, which he knew was to support a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities on July 11.

He also faces a second of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, namely Islamic State, or to further its activities, on July 11.

The men were arrested following a joint operation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and the Eastern Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Unit.

Searches have been completed at seven properties and a number of vehicles in Luton as part of the investigation, Scotland Yard said.