Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of murdering three young girls in Southport, has been charged with producing the poison ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual. The 18-year-old has been charged with the production of a biological toxin and possession of a PDF document, both of which contravene the Terrorism Act and the Biological Weapons Act. The charges were announced before Rudakubana is due to appear in court.
Despite police investigations, no evidence linked to ricin was found near the crime scene, and the discovered substance posed a low risk to the public. While the motives for the murders are not yet known, the new charges do not necessarily require one to investigate the incident as a terrorist event.
The accused has already been charged with stabbing murder, attempted murder, and knife possession, which he allegedly committed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. A trial is set to start in January. Rudakubana is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Counter-terrorism forces have not yet declared the stabbings a terrorist incident, and Merseyside Police will continue to lead the investigation. Ricin is a lethal poisonous substance derived naturally from castor oil plants. Senior medical advisers from the UK Health Security Agency have recently reassured the public that no evidence of ricin poisoning has surfaced from anyone involved or connected to the stabbing.
The UK Prime Minister’s spokesman offered their condolences to the families of the victims. The spokesman reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring the families and all affected people receive justice
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
