Westminster knife accused ‘linked to Afghanistan IEDs’
Terror suspect ‘made bombs’
A SUSPECTED terrorist arrested near Parliament carrying three knives allegedly made improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, a court has heard.
Khalid Mohammed Omar Ali, 27, was said to be on his way to “give a message to leaders in the UK” when caught, a judge was told yesterday.
Detectives found two knives in his jacket and a third in his trousers.
Ali is also allegedly linked to two caches of IEDs seized in the southern Afghan province Kandahar in 2012. He told the court: “I do not recognise the charges.” Westminster magistrates heard Ali left the family home in 2011 and travelled to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He returned in November and was arrested near No10 last month after a tip-off from his mum. Ali, of Edmonton, North London, was charged with preparation of terrorist acts on or before April 27. Jessica Hart, prosecuting, said: “This refers to the plan to give a message to leaders in the UK.” He also faces two terror charges relating to the bomb parts. Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot entered pleas of not guilty on Ali’s behalf. He will appear at an Old Bailey hearing next week. Meanwhile Rizlaine Boular, 21, shot in a raid in Willesden, North West London, has been charged with preparation of a terror act and conspiracy to murder, as have Khawla Barghouthi, 20, and Boular’s mum, Mina Dich, 43.