LONDON: Police yesterday began questioning one of the prime suspects in the brutal murder of a British soldier in London, six days after the Islamist attack, following his release from hospital.
Michael Adebowale, 22, was formally taken into police custody as the family of his co-accused, Michael Adebolajo, issued a statement expressing their “profound shame and distress” over the murder.
Soldier Lee Rigby was hacked to death last Wednesday near a barracks in Woolwich by two men who later spouted Islamic extremist rhetoric at passers-by.
Both Adebowale and Adebolajo, 28, were injured in police firing at the scene and were held at separate London hospitals under armed guard until they were well enough to be questioned.
Following his discharge last afternoon, Adebowale was taken into custody at a south London police station, Scotland Yard said.
Detectives have 24 hours to question him before they have to apply for an extension.
Adebolajo remains in stable condition in hospital.
In a statement, his relatives sent their “heartfelt condolence” to the family of the murdered 25-year-old, which includes his two-year-old son Jake.
“Nothing we can say can undo the events of last week,” they said.
“However, as a family, we wish to share with others our horror at the senseless killing of Lee Rigby, and express our profound shame and distress that this has brought to our family.”
They said they “wholeheartedly condemn” terrorism, and “fully expect” that the soldier’s killers will be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, counterterrorism police launched an investigation yesterday after a guard at a maximum security prison was taken hostage and injured by three inmates reportedly inspired by the murder of Rigby.
The guard was held hostage for nearly four hours at Full Sutton prison near York in northern England on Sunday, until riot officers managed to free him.
He suffered a broken cheekbone in the attack.
AFP
