1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

Arrests in London

June 2, 2013

British police have charged a second suspect in the murder of a British soldier in London. The incident has sparked demonstrations in the capital city by rightwing and anti-fascist groups in which dozens were arrested.

https://p.dw.com/p/18iQm
Police officers detain a supporter of a Unite Against Fascism (UAF) counter-demonstration near another protest held by the far-right British National Party (BNP) against the killing of a British soldier, in central London June 1, 2013. Police kept apart a small group of far-right protesters and a much larger anti-racist crowd in London on Saturday to stop them from coming to blows over how to respond to the killing of a soldier on a busy street last week. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)
Großbritannien London Festnahme Protest gegen FaschismusImage: Reuters

Marchel Adebolajo, 28, has been charged with the murder of soldier Lee Rigby, as well as the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm, London's Metropolitan Police said Saturday.

Adebajola was released from a hospital Friday after he was shot by police in the May 22 attack outside of an army barracks in southeast London. He is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Another man, 22-year-old Michael Adebowale, has also been charged with the murder of Rigby. Adebowale spent several days in a separate hospital being treated for gunshot wounds from the police.

Both men were captured on video and in photographs immediately after the murder of Rigby, 25, appearing bloodied and making references to Islam.

British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attack "a betrayal of Islam and the Muslim communities who give so much to our country."

Police, activists and politicians have reported a rise in anti-Muslim incidents following Rigby's killing.

Scotland Yard said 58 people from the United Against Fascism group were arrested Saturday after gathering to oppose a rally by the far right British National Party near the Houses of Parliament.

Other rightwing protests were held in cities around Britain, but turnout was low.

On Friday evening, Rigby's family urged people not to use his death to justify violence.

"Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others," the family said in a statement.

dr/lw (AP, Reuters, AFP)