A mosque leader from Brighton is suspected of giving a speech in front of young children saying armed conflict and violence was their 'religious obligation', a court heard.
Abu Bakr Deghayes is charged with encouraging terrorism by saying 'Jihad is compulsory' at evening prayers and making stabbing motions.
The 53-year-old allegedly told the congregation that 'scholars fought the enemies of Allah'.
Prosecutors allege Deghayes encouraged violence through a 20-minute speech at the mosque in Brighton, East Sussex, last November during evening prayers at around 8pm.
He faces a starting point of four years in prison if found guilty of the alleged offences, the court heard.
Deghayes was charged on suspicion of encouraging the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Abu Bakr Deghayes, 53, was charged following an investigation relating to Islamist terrorism
At Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Deghayes appeared in the dock and entered a not guilty plea after being charged by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) and Sussex Police yesterday.
It was put to him in a court indictment that on
