30 May 2013

Murder charge laid over London attack

10:34 pm on 30 May 2013

A handcuffed man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a British soldier on a busy London street.

Michael Adebowale was charged late on Wednesday with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, a 25-year-old serving soldier, on 22 May.

Mr Adebowale was arrested at the scene of the attack in the south-east district of Woolwich, along with another man after being shot and detained by police. He is also charged with possession of a firearm.

Looking dazed and limping slightly, the 22-year-old made his first court appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Reuters reports.

Asked to confirm his name and address in London, he only said: "Yes". The charges were then read out during the brief hearing.

Mr Adebowale was remanded in custody to appear at Britain's central criminal court, the Old Bailey, on Monday.

Drummer Rigby, a veteran of the Afghan war, was killed in broad daylight by two men. He was run over before being stabbed.

A second man, Michael Adebolajo, 28, remains under arrest and in a stable condition in a London hospital.

British authorities say there is a strong indication that the attack was an act of terrorism. Police have arrested eight other people in connection with the investigation so far; six have been bailed and two released without charge, the BBC reports.