The teenage suspect in the July knife attack in UK at a Taylor Swift-themed event was charged with producing a deadly poison and “terrorism” offences on Tuesday (Oct 29).
The attack occurred in July 2024 killed three young girls and sparked anti-immigration riots in the country.
The charges against 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana came after police launched a search of his house and found an al Qaeda training manual with title “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.
“Searches of Axel Rudakubana’s home address resulted in an unknown substance being found. Testing confirmed substance as ricin. We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public. And I want to make that reassurance clear today. I can also tell you that there was no ricin present at Hart St,” The Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy said.
Rudakubana was earlier charged with murder and attempted murder over the stabbing spree.
Kennedy also added in the statement that the new charges against the teenage boy are for producing a poison named ricin, and “possessing information…likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.”
The stabbings sparked unrest and riots in more than a dozen English towns and cities in the week, with authorities blaming misinformation over the identity of the alleged attacker.
In their statement on Tuesday, police stressed that the stabbing has not been declared a terror act and cautioned against speculation.
“At this time, Counter Terrorism Policing has not declared the attack on Monday (July 29) a terrorist incident” the statement said.
“I recognise that the new charges, may lead to speculation”, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy was quoted as saying in the statement.
“We would strongly advise caution against anyone speculating as to motivation in this case.
“My plea is to be patient, don’t engage in rumour and speculation and don’t believe everything you read on social media.”
The trial is scheduled to begin in January 2025.
In August, Taylor Swift met the family of the victims.