Hate preacher Anjem Choudary has been released from prison

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary has been released from prison.

The 51-year-old is thought to have been taken from high security Belmarsh prison in south-east London early on Friday morning.

Choudary, once a leading figure in the now-banned group al-Muhajiroun, was jailed in 2016 after being convicted of inviting support for the Islamic State terror group.

He was due for automatic release after reaching the halfway point of a five-and-a-half-year sentence, and will be subject to a strict supervision regime for the rest of his sentence, including being monitored by agencies including the police and security services.

It is thought Choudary will initially be placed in a probation hostel and will have to comply with more than 20 licence conditions.

There are a number of standard requirements, including maintaining good behaviour, receiving visits from and keeping in contact with his supervising probation officer, and not travelling outside the UK without prior permission.

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The former solicitor will also be subject to further measures while on licence, which are expected to include: electronic tagging; a night-time curfew; requirements to stay within a set area and only attend pre-approved mosques; a ban on contacting individuals who he knows or believes to have been charged with or convicted of extremist-related offences without prior approval; and restrictions relating to internet use and mobile device ownership.

Breaching any of his licence conditions could lead to him being put back behind bars.

Choudary, from Ilford, east London, has also had his name added to a UN sanctions list, which means he is subject to an assets freeze and travel ban.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May said authorities are equipped to supervise Choudary after his release.