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Teen accused of fatal stabbing at Taylor Swift-themed event in England now faces terrorism charges: Police
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Teen accused of fatal stabbing at Taylor Swift-themed event in England now faces terrorism charges: Police

Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

(ENGLAND) — The teenage suspect accused of fatally stabbing three children at a Taylor Swift-themed event in the United Kingdom in July is facing terrorism charges for allegedly possessing a jihadist training manual, police said Tuesday.

Police said the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks in Lancashire, was also charged with producing the deadly poison ricin.

Rudakubana had previously been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a knife in connection with a July stabbing in Southport, a seaside town about 20 miles north of Liverpool.

Police said the two new charges announced on Tuesday “related to evidence obtained during searches of his home by Merseyside Police”. According to police, a PDF file titled “Military Studies in Jihad Against Oppressors: Al Qaeda Training Manual” was allegedly found. Police said that an unknown substance found in the house was determined to be ricin through tests.

“Following the announcement of the new charges today, I wanted to reassure the people of Southport and Merseyside that we are determined to deliver justice for the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, the 10 victims injured at Hart Space in Southport on that Monday in July and the 16 others who were there.” with the person,” Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in a statement Tuesday.

Rudakubana is scheduled to appear in virtual court on Wednesday, police said.

Kennedy said police did not declare the attack a “terrorist incident” and warned the public not to speculate about the cause of the case.

“I am aware that new accusations may lead to speculation,” he said. “The matter for which Axel Rudakubana is charged under the Terrorism Act does not require the determination of motive. “In order for an event to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation must be provided.”

Merseyside police said the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school when the attack took place.

Kennedy said no ricin was found in the area.

“We have worked extensively with our partners to determine that the risk to the public is low or very low, and I want to make that assurance clear today,” Kennedy said.

The trial is scheduled to begin in January 2025.

While performing at Wembley Stadium in August, Swift met with family members of those killed and injured in the attack.

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