Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘TW0 YEARS PLOTTING BY MP’S KILLER’
Alleged terrorist in court
THE alleged terrorist accused of murdering Sir David Amess began planning an attack in 2019, a court heard yesterday
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, appeared before Westminster magistrates charged with murder and preparing acts of terrorism between May 1, 2019 and September this year.
He is accused of being affiliated with Islamic State and targeted Sir David over his voting record in support of air strikes in Syria.
The veteran Conservative MP for Southend West died of multiple wounds to the chest after he was stabbed during a constituency surgery in Leighon-sea, Essex, last Friday.
Yesterday, in the dock with his arms folded, Ali spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
RECONNAISSANCE
Flanked by two plain-clothes officers, he was not asked to enter a plea, and was remanded in custody ahead of an Old Bailey hearing today.
Ali is accused of carrying out reconnaissance at various times this year, including at the Houses of Parliament.
Prosecutor James Cable said he then travelled from his home in Kentish Town, North London, to get to Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-onsea on the day of the attack.
He had allegedly made an appointment to see Sir David, falsely saying that he was moving to the area.
During the meeting, he was allegedly seen to use his mobile phone before standing up.
Prosecutors claim the murder had a terrorist connection because there were “religious and ideological” motives.
Ali is charged with preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The CPS says it can include a “wide range of criminality” up to and including murder.