The suspect in the murder of MP Amess charged with preparing for terrorist acts

Published on : 10/21/2021 – 14:17

The suspect arrested after the death of British MP David Amess has been charged with murder and preparation for terrorist acts, police and prosecutors said on Thursday (October 21st). Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old Briton of Somali origin, is due to be brought before a judge in London, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

“We will submit to the court the fact that this murder has a terrorist connection, more precisely motivations both religious and ideological,” said Nick Price, head of the anti-terrorism division of the prosecution, in a statement.

The police had already mentioned “a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”.

David Amess, a 69-year-old Conservative MP and father of five, was stabbed to death on Friday as he spoke to his constituents at a Methodist church in Leigh-on-Sea, about 37 miles away. east London. The suspect, who according to British media had followed an anti-radicalization program, was arrested on the spot.

This drama shocked the country, recalling the trauma of the assassination of Labor MP Jo Cox in June 2016 by a right-wing extremist and prompting calls to strengthen the security of elected officials.

With AFP