Cameron condemns ‘sick, perverted ideas’ after Woolwich

Michael Adebolajo, 28, from Romford in Essex, was at Westminster magistrates’ court to face various charges. He asked to be referred to as Mujaahid Abu Hamza.

He is accused of murdering Drummer Rigby, 25. Co-accused Michael Adebowale, 22, appeared at the same court last week and was due to appear at the Old Bailey later on Monday.

Adebolajo is also accused of the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm, a 9.4mm KNIL model 91 revolver, with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used.

Wearing a white t-shirt and white trousers, Adebolajo blew a kiss to a man in the public gallery, and they both pointed to the sky.

Arm bandaged

His left arm was fully bandaged and he held a copy of the Koran. As he was asked to stand, Adebolajo said: “May I ask why? May I ask why?”

When told it is customary to stand, he said: “I want to sit.”

It is as if for some young people there is a conveyor belt to radicalisation that has poisoned their minds with sick and perverted ideas. David Cameron

Adebolajo was charged with the four counts on Saturday, having been discharged from hospital on Friday. He was shot by police on 22 May and spent just over a week in hospital being treated for his injuries.

After standing when asked to at the end of a short hearing, he asked Deputy Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot: “I would like to alleviate the pain if I may.” He then kissed the Koran and raised his arm into the air.

Adebolajo was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey within 48 hours.

Second accused

Adebowale, from Greenwich, south east London, later appeared via video-link at the Old Bailey.

He is accused of murdering Drummer Rigby on May 22, as well as possession of a firearm, a 9.4mm KNIL Model 91 revolver, with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used.

No application for bail was made during the brief hearing.

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, told the court the defendant would reappear for a preliminary hearing on June 28, when his case is expected to be joined up with that of Adebolajo.

A second man, Adebowale, from Greenwich, south east London, later appeared via video-link at the Old Bailey.

He is also accused of murdering Drummer Rigby, as well as possession of a firearm, a 9.4mm KNIL Model 91 revolver, with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used.

No application for bail was made during the brief hearing. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, told the court the defendant would reappear for a preliminary hearing on 28 June, when his case is expected to be joined up with that of Adebolajo.’

‘Conveyor belt to radicalisation’

Prime Minister David Cameron addressed the House of Commons about the Woolwich attack and said that he chaired the first meeting of the government’s new task force on tackling extremism and radicalisation in maddrasses, mosques, universities and online.

He condemned the ideology of those who “pervert Islam”, as well as groups like the EDL, who he said, “try to demonise Islam and stoke up anti-Muslim hatred”.

To tackle the threat of extremism, the government must “understand its root causes”, said the prime minister, who added that 18 people have this year been found guilty in three major counter-terrorism trials.

“Those who carried out this callous and abhorrent crime sought to justify their actions by an extremist ideology that perverts and warps Islam to create a culture of victimhood and justify violence,” he said.

“It is as if for some young people there is a conveyor belt to radicalisation that has poisoned their minds with sick and perverted ideas. We need to dismantle this process at every stage.”