UK's Southport murder suspect faces additional charges for terror offense, ricin production

​​​​​​​By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The suspect facing murder charges for a knife attack that killed three girls in Southport, is set to face additional charges related to terrorism and the production of toxic substances, British media said Tuesday.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, who was apprehended after a violent attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July, is alleged to have produced ricin, a highly potent biological toxin, and possessed a document titled "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants – the Al-Qaida Training Manual."

The fatal attack occurred July 29 during the first week of the school summer holidays, claiming the lives of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe.

Beyond the murder charges, Rudakubana is accused of attempting to murder an additional eight children and two adults, as well as possessing a bladed article at the time of the attack.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at the Westminster Magistrates Court.

Serena Kennedy, chief constable of Merseyside Police, said in a statement Tuesday that while new charges under the Terrorism Act have been brought, the events of July 28 are not being treated as a terror incident.

"Counter Terrorism Policing has not declared the attack on Monday 29 July a terrorist incident," said Kennedy.

She emphasized that a terrorism-related charge does not necessitate proof of motive, unlike the designation of an incident as a terrorist act, which requires the establishment of intent.

The new charges stem from an ongoing investigation that has uncovered evidence in Rudakubana’s home, located in Banks, a village near Southport.

It was there that ricin was discovered in early August, days after the attack.

Police confirmed that the poison had not been found at the attack scene, Hart Space, alleviating some concerns about a wider contamination risk.

Kennedy urged the public to avoid speculation, stressing the complexity and sensitivity of the investigation. "I recognize that the new charges may lead to speculation," she said, appealing for the public’s patience as authorities continue to evaluate the evidence.

Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, will see the full case presented against him at his criminal trial in January, where further details are expected to emerge.