Reports have emerged that Ali Harbi Ali, the terror suspect accused of stabbing to death Conservative party Member of Parliament Sir David Amess had plotted to kill a politician for two years because he voted for airstrikes in Syria, a court heard today, reports Dailymail
Harbi who is 25, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with the murder of the veteran Southend West MP after queuing with constituents at his surgery last Friday and it was revealed that Ali had plotted to kill an MP two years ago, initially focusing on two politicians other than Sir David.
During the hearing, it was discovered that he had carried out reconnaissance at one of their homes, the surgery of another, and the Houses of Parliament, detectives discovered after investigating his Oyster Card travel within London and CCTV footage.
Ali decided not to attack his victim in the Houses of Parliament because it was ‘not practical’ due high level of security. However, the MP’s constituency surgery had no security and an attack was possible.
Prosecutors told the court that Ali was affiliated with Islamic State and targeted Sir David over the MP’s voting record in support of airstrikes on Syria and had prepared for terrorist acts from May 1, 2019, to September 28 this year.
Senior district judge Paul Goldspring who presided over the hearing remanded Ali in custody ahead of a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey tomorrow.
Sir David, a veteran of the Tory party suffered multiple stab wounds and the 69-year-old father of five was stabbed 17 times in a frenzied attack.
Nick Price, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division, said: “he CPS has authorised charges against Ali Harbi Ali for the murder of MP Sir David Amess. We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations. He has also been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts. This follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation,”.
Matt Jukes, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, said: “I want to send my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir David Amess, who died so tragically last Friday. Sir David’s dedication to his family, his constituents and his community, and his positive impact on the lives of so many has shone through. Today’s charge is a significant milestone in the case, but the work from my colleagues in the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command will continue apace,”.