Southport murder suspect charged with terrorism offence and producing ricin
Authorities have revealed that the individual suspected of killing three girls in Southport now faces additional allegations related to having terrorist-related materials and creating the extremely dangerous toxin ricin.
Eighteen-year-old Axel Rudakubana is set to go before Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday. He faces charges for creating a biological toxin and possessing a document named "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants,” which is identified as the al-Qaida training manual.
Serena Kennedy, the head of Merseyside police, stated that the killings of the three girls—nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe—are not being classified as a terrorist event. She indicated that no information suggesting a terrorist intention has been found.
Rudakubana was taken into custody on July 29, just after a stabbing incident occurred at a dance class inspired by Taylor Swift in Southport, during the opening week of the school summer break.
In addition to the three murder charges, he faces 10 counts of attempted murder for alleged assaults on eight more children and two adults. He is also charged with having a knife.
During a press conference at the Merseyside police headquarters on Tuesday, Kennedy stated that the additional charges resulted from a detailed and intricate investigation that lasted three months. She also urged the public to refrain from making assumptions about the alleged crimes.
Ricin was found in Rudakubana's house in the village of Banks, which is roughly 5 miles from Southport, shortly after the attack in early August. Kennedy mentioned that there was no indication of ricin being at Hart Space, where the knife attack took place, and that the counter-terrorism police had not classified the events of July 29 as a terrorist act.
She mentioned, "Currently, the counter-terrorism police have not classified the attack on Monday, July 29, as a terrorist act. I understand that the new charges might raise some questions."
"The issue for which Axel Rudakubana has been accused under the Terrorism Act does not need a motive to be proven. In order for something to be classified as a terrorist act, there must be clear motivation."
She mentioned that counter-terrorism agents are still evaluating the evidence, and that the complete case against Rudakubana, a Cardiff native, will be presented during the criminal trial set for January.
"I highly recommend that people steer clear of guessing the reasons behind this case," Kennedy stated. "Axel Rudakubana is currently facing criminal charges, and he deserves a fair trial. It's crucial that there is no reporting, commentary, or online sharing of information that could influence these legal proceedings."
She urged everyone to remain calm and avoid jumping to conclusions. She emphasized the importance of not trusting everything that circulates on social media. We need to keep in mind the families of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice, who are still in mourning, as well as the loved ones of others who were at Hart Street on July 29. It's crucial that we protect the integrity of the justice process.
According to The Guardian, 2,000 riot police are ready for action on Tuesday, as there are worries that the announcement of new charges might lead to possible disturbances. Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, both just a few days away from finding out who will be the new leader of the Conservative party, promptly released statements expressing their concerns about how the police and the Labour government are handling the situation.
Jenrick expressed that the attack raised significant worries for the public and emphasized that individuals deserved immediate access to the truth. However, he also voiced serious concerns that some information might have been kept from the public.
He stated, "Any hint of a cover-up could irreparably harm public confidence in the information we're getting regarding crime in our nation. Keir Starmer needs to quickly clarify what he was aware of concerning the Southport attack and when he became aware of it."
The harsh truth about widespread migration is being obscured everywhere. It's essential that we uncover the reality – and it's time for change.
Nazir Afzal, who previously served as the chief crown prosecutor for north-west England, criticized Jenrick for his statements.
He told the Guardian: "Mr. Jenrick's remarks during an ongoing legal process are inappropriate and could potentially violate the law, as they might influence the proceedings."
"There’s no justification for the remarks being made while the case is still ongoing."
Neil Basu, the ex-leader of counter-terrorism efforts in the UK, expressed his disapproval of Jenrick, stating that such remarks could endanger the pursuit of justice. "This is careless and mirrors past errors, as it does little to ease the tense situation we confronted this summer."
"I believe he’s being foolish. As he campaigns for the election, he's attempting to rally his supporters. In the process, he’s made a poor decision."
Badenoch emphasized that it’s evident there are significant concerns that need to be addressed regarding the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Keir Starmer's reaction to the entire matter.
She remarked, "Parliament is the suitable venue for this discussion. Although we have to respect the court's rules to avoid interfering with the case, it’s crucial that we have proper oversight."
Downing Street refuted claims that the government played a role in deciding when the announcement regarding charges against Rudakubana would be made. When asked about any potential government influence on the timing of the announcement, a spokesperson for No. 10 stated, "No, the decisions about charges and their timing are the responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service."
The representative stated that it was “incorrect” to claim that the government had played a role in keeping information from the public. They further noted, “Decisions about charges are made independently by the CPS, and I encourage you to refer to the statements from the CPS and the police.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper cautioned against making assumptions. She stated, "These new charges are surely going to be upsetting for residents of Southport. What matters most is ensuring justice for Bebe, Alice, and Elsie, along with their devastated families and everyone impacted by the incident; no one should jeopardize that."
Dominic Grieve, who previously served as the Conservative attorney general, expressed that potentially harmful remarks could jeopardize justice for victims and their families. He told the Guardian, "It’s important that no one makes comments on an ongoing case that could influence its result."
“If the trial process is impacted by comments that violate the Contempt of Court Act, the rights of victims could be just as compromised as those of the defendants.”
A former Conservative minister expressed that it would have been better if they had refrained from making remarks. He noted that the police have clearly advised against making hasty judgments regarding the latest charges. He emphasized that the main goal should be to prevent any chance of the trial falling apart because of biased comments from the public.
The murders sparked a wave of false information about the alleged perpetrator and triggered a series of riots throughout England, ultimately leading to over 1,000 individuals facing charges. Following the initial arrest and charges against Rudakubana, the investigation has progressed, with team members from Merseyside police working alongside counter-terrorism officers.
Dr. Renu Bindra from the UK Health Security Agency stated that their specialists discovered no proof that anyone at Hart Space, including first responders or bystanders, came into contact with ricin. She mentioned that the experts evaluated the risk to the general public as "low."
Following the magistrates court hearing on Wednesday, Rudakubana is scheduled to appear next in court on November 13 at the Liverpool crown court.