Woolwich
murder suspect Michael Adebolajo has appeared in court accused of murdering
Drummer Lee Rigby. Dressed in all white with his left arm heavily bandaged, the
28 year old was in the dock flanked by two police officers and a prison guard,
and asked to be called Mujahid Abu Hamza. As he arrived in the courtroom he
pointed to the ceiling and kissed a copy of the Koran he gripped throughout the 12-minute hearing at
Westminster Magistrates' Court. He also appeared to smile and blow a kisses to
a man in the public gallery, before he was forced to stand in the dock, having
initially refused. After trying to make several interruptions, he was remanded
in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey within 48 hours.
Earlier
he was swept into court in an armoured vehicle led by a police convoy. A number
of armed officers formed a ring of steel in central London and shut off the
roads leading to the court. Adebolajo, of Romford, Essex, is accused of killing
Lee Rigby, 25, in front of horrified onlookers in south-east London a fortnight
ago.
He has
also been charged with the attempted murder of two police officers and
possession of a firearm. He was shot by police and kept in hospital for nearly
ten days under armed guard. Scotland Yard announced on Friday he had been
discharged and taken into custody at a south London police station, where he
was then charged.
As he
left the hearing Adebolajo again smiled and blew a kiss to a man in the public
gallery, and they both pointed to the sky. His left arm was fully bandaged and
he held a copy of the Koran. As he was asked to stand, Adebolajo said: 'May I
ask why? May I ask why?' When told it is customary to stand, he said: 'I want
to sit.' Meanwhile the other key suspect in the case appeared at the Old Bailey
today. Michael Adebowale, 22, was remanded in custody as he appeared via video
link. He is also accused of killing the 25-year-old soldier from 2nd Battalion
The Royal Regiment as the soldier made his way back to Woolwich barracks
shortly after 2pm on May 22.
the un-named man he blew a kiss at
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