Notorious hate preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad, whose group inspired the Lee Rigby killers and the London Bridge attackers, is seen in a family photo after being released from Lebanese prison

Notorious hate preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad, relaxed on the couch in a pair of slippers, looked unrecognizable upon his release yesterday after nearly a decade behind bars.

Pictured here for the first time, the extremist who inspired a generation of jihadists after founding a banned terror group has been in prison since 2014 when he was arrested for supporting al-Qaeda in Lebanon.

Legal sources confirmed yesterday that the 64-year-old has finally been released from prison after serving his six-year sentence.

His release has sparked fears among security services that he may return to preaching online to brainwash a new generation of British Muslims.

Dr. Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society think tank, warned: “Omar Bakri Muhammad was one of the most dangerous extremist preachers in his heyday, inspiring many to acts of jihadism.

Omar Bakri Muhammad speaks to reporters at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, September 8, 1996

“If he reverts to his previous advocacy it will be a real security threat to Britain as he has proven he can poison minds with his radical views.” Bakri himself did not post anything online, but news of his release was celebrated by ISIS. friendly channels yesterday.

Photos posted on social media show the grandfather in the arms of his weeping family after he was released last week.

Dressed casually in jogging pants, slippers and a bright yellow T-shirt instead of his signature white robes, the cleric appeared to have aged considerably since he was last seen in public, with his famous dark beard now completely white.

Bakri is considered one of the most controversial extremist preachers in recent times, who famously declared that the terrorists who led the 9/11 attacks were “great”.

He also expressed his desire to see the black flag of Islam flying over 10 Downing Street, saying: “Terrorism is part of Islam.” For 20 years, Bakri continued to preach hate in Britain by founding al-Muhajiroun, which was later banned along with its numerous offshoots including Islam4UK and Muslims Against Crusades.

Many of the group’s supporters joined the fighting in Syria, and others later planned terror attacks in Britain, including the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby and the London Bridge knife attacks.

The 7/7 bombers that struck London in July 2005, killing 52 people, have also been linked to al-Muhajiroun.

When the government threatened to arrest him for treason, Bakri fled to Lebanon, where his mother lived.

Supporters of Bakri’s group then planned terrorist attacks in Britain, including the assassination of Fusilier Lee Rigby and the London Bridge knife attacks. Pictured: Lee Rigby’s killers: Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right)

Omar Bakri Muhammad’s group inspired Lee Rigby killers and London Bridge attackers. Pictured: Police and emergency services respond to the London Bridge attack, 3 June 2017

The Syrian-born Islamist, who was granted asylum here in 1986, was later expelled from Britain by then Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

In July 2006, he tried to board a boat for British nationals leaving Lebanon, but was turned away when the authorities realized who he was.

In Lebanon, Bakri’s support for Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s franchise in Syria, has drawn the attention of authorities.

He was arrested by the Lebanese secret service in May 2014 for endangering national security and sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in the establishment of an organization linked to the jihadist group Al-Nusra Front and for attempts to to set up training camps in Lebanon.

Bakri was reportedly held in an underground cell at Al-Rayaniyeh prison for most of his detention.

Omar Bakri Muhammad speaks to journalists as he arrives for a rally at Finsbury Park Mosque in London on September 11, 2002

In an effort to combat chronic overcrowding, a year-long sentence in a Lebanese prison was reduced to nine months, meaning Bakri served almost double his original sentence.

While he was in prison, two of his seven children left the UK and died fighting ISIS.

Yesterday, a pro-ISIS Telegram channel advocating the release of clerics jailed on terrorism charges shared a post celebrating Bakri’s release with the caption: “Sheikh Omar Bakri has been released! Alhamdulillah [praise to Allah].’ Another pro-ISIS channel posted photos of him at home with his family and noted that a decorative pillow featured in one of the photos was embroidered with the name of his son Bilal, who died while fought with ISIS.