An uncle (left) and grandparents of Lee Rigby weep after laying a wreath and reading messages on floral tributes for the soldier near the scene of his killing outside the barracks of the British Army’s 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Woolwich, yesterday.
LONDON: Michael Adebowale, 22, appeared in a London court yesterday charged with the killing of a British soldier on a busy London street last week, which the prosecutor said would be tried as a terrorist act.
Adebowale was charged late on Wednesday with the murder of Lee Rigby, a 25-year-old serving soldier, in Woolwich in south-east London on May 22. He also faces a charge of possessing a firearm, a 9.4 mm revolver, with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used.
Prosecutor Bethan David told the court the alleged offence fell under the scope of terrorism legislation.
Looking dazed and limping slightly, Adebowale appeared in handcuffs in the glass-fronted dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing white trousers and a light grey sweatshirt.
He was flanked by two plainclothes policemen and there were two court security guards in the dock as well.
He did not enter a plea, as is normal at this stage under British law.
Adebowale was arrested at the scene along with another man, Michael Adebolajo, 28. Both men were shot by police and taken to hospital where they stayed under armed guard.
Judge Howard Riddle sent Adebowale’s case to London’s Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, for trial. Adebowale will appear there for a bail hearing on Monday.
REUTERS
