Suspected killer of MP David Amess on trial in UK
The seat which was occupied by Tory MP David Amess since 1983 and until his death, empty during the ceremony honoring the parliamentarian, on October 18, 2021 in London.
© UK Parliament, Jessica Taylor, via Reuters
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Ali Harbi Ali's trial began on Monday.
This 26-year-old Briton is being prosecuted for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
He was the one who stabbed MP Sir David Amess to death last October.
The court heard the prosecutor on the scope of Ali Harbi Ali's terrorist project.
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Prosecuted for murder and preparation of terrorist acts, the accused Ali Harbi Ali, described by the prosecutor as a "
fanatic, radicalized Islamist terrorist
", pleads not guilty.
“
It was nothing less than a terrorist-motivated assassination
,” said prosecutor Tom Little.
One detail caught the latter's attention: the knife that was used
to assassinate David Amess
.
Ali Harbi Ali had bought it five years earlier, already with the aim of perhaps committing an attack, according to the words of the accused.
The young man radicalized himself, around 2014-2015.
The prosecutor detailed what the investigators found in Ali Harbi Ali's computers: propaganda from the Islamic State organization, and research on some of the MPs who approved the British intervention in Syria.
To justify his action, the Briton will also cite the bombings of the coalition, recalls our correspondent in London,
Émeline Vin
.
►
To read also: The murder of Conservative MP David Amess described as “terrorist”
Arrested at the scene of the murder, Ali Harbi Ali was born and raised in London in a family of Somali origin.
He had, according to British media, briefly completed a counter-radicalization program, without being considered at risk by the security services.
According to the prosecutor, the accused had been “
determined for several years to carry out an act of terrorism
” on British soil.
Between 2019 and 2021, Ali Harbi Ali had undertaken research on, among others, Michael Gove, minister of the leveling up.
Tracking address, schedule ... the terrorist had planned to stab the latter while jogging.
The minister's divorce and his move led him to fall back on David Amess.
Ali Harbi Ali's trial is expected to last three weeks.
►Also read: David Amess, the United Kingdom wants to strengthen the security of elected officials
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