As he appeared in court on Wednesday to face new charges, the teen suspect in the July knife murders of three young girls that sparked anti-immigration riots refused to speak.
While appearing for a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video from a London prison, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana wore his sweater over the lower half of his face.
When he was asked to confirm his name, he did not respond, and a security guard who was with him at the prison told the court that he had decided not to speak.
Stan Reiz, his attorney, stated: Mr. Rudakubana has also avoided speaking at previous hearings.
“He has chosen not to answer the question for reasons of his own making.” Rudakubana was in court to face the additional charges of possessing information that could be used in a terrorist act and producing a biological toxin, Ricin.
In connection with the stabbings on July 29 that resulted in the deaths of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, northwest England, he has already been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a knife.
Rudakubana must remain in custody until a full trial at Liverpool Crown Court, according to Judge Paul Goldspring’s order.
It has already been decided that the trial will begin in January.
Police emphasized in announcing the two new charges that the knife attack, which also left 10 others injured, has not been classified as a terrorist act.
According to the force, the new charges are based on evidence gathered by police during searches of Rudakubana’s home following the attack.
Serena Kennedy, chief constable of Merseyside Police, stated, “For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.”
She went on to say, “We would strongly advise caution against anyone speculating as to motivation in this case,” stressing the importance of ensuring “a fair trial.”
More than a dozen towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland experienced a week of unrest and riots following the stabbings.
The violence has been fueled by far-right agitators, who have been accused of spreading false information about the identity of the alleged attacker.
