Via - Daily Mail
In court: Raising his arm into a Usain Bolt pose, Michael Adebolajo kisses a copy of the Koran with his eyes closed
Exchange: Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of a member of the public gallery blowing kisses at Michael Adebolajo in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court
Raising his arm into a Usain Bolt pose, Michael Adebolajo kisses a copy of the Koran with his eyes closed.
The terror suspect went through this routine as he appeared in court yesterday accused of murdering Drummer Lee Rigby.
Stooping in the dock with a large bandage on his left arm, the 28-year-old demanded to be called ‘Abu Hamza’.
Clutching a copy of the Koran in his right hand, Adebolajo repeatedly interrupted the hearing.
At one point he said: ‘I’m only a man. I would like to alleviate the pain if I may.’ Then suddenly he held his hands aloft and closed his eyes before kissing the Koran.
Throughout the 12-minute hearing Adebolajo blew kisses towards a relative in the public gallery, understood to be his younger brother Jeremiah.
Accused: Adebolajo is facing a murder charge
Wearing a white T-shirt and trousers, he remained seated when deputy chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnott entered Westminster Magistrates Court in London for the hearing.
When he was told to stand by the court clerk, he asked: ‘May I ask why?’ The defendant was then told it was a customary part of the court process, to which he replied: ‘Then I will sit’.
Addressing Adebolajo, the court clerk said: ‘I understand that you wish to be known as Mujahid Abu Hamza.’
The defendant replied: ‘That is correct.’ He was then referred to as ‘Mr Abu Hamza’ throughout the remainder of the hearing.
Adebolajo is accused of killing Drummer Rigby, 25, just yards from Woolwich army barracks in broad daylight on May 22.
Drummer Rigby, who leaves behind a two year-old son called Jack and a fiancée, died from multiple stab wounds and had to be identified by his dental records.
Unusual: Michael Adebolajo made a series of gestures in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, including kissing the Koran while pointing the the sky
Hearing: Woolwich suspect Michael Adebolajo, whose left arm was heavily bandaged, refused to stand in court yesterday morning and held the Koran throughout
Gesture: Those in court said that Adebolajo apparently blew kisses to this man from the dock, the unnamed named then reportedly pointed to the sky
Adebolajo, from Romford, Essex, was shot by police and spent just over a week being treated for his injuries under armed guard in hospital.
The defendant is also charged with attempting to murder two police officers, known as E38 and D49.
He faces a fourth charge of possessing a 9.4mm revolver with intent to cause persons to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.
Hearing: A police van drives Michael Adebolajo into Westminster Magistrates' Court, to face charges linked to the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich
Guard: Armed police closed off roads around the court as the prisoner was swept into the central London court
High profile: Adebolajo, 28, who was inside this van, is accused of a series of crimes linked to Drummer Rigby
Shouting from the dock in a slightly slurred voice, Adebolajo said: ‘May I respond please? I’m not sure I’ve heard those specific charges put to me like that before.’
Court case: Adebolajo appeared to blow a kiss to this man understood to be his brother Jeremiah, who was pictured outside court
The magistrate told him it was normal procedure for suspects to have the charges read out to them.
To which Adebolajo replied: ‘I’ve got an idea, somewhere along the line a jobs-worth came up with a very foolish rule that a criminal, or so-called criminals, in the dock may not respond. For what reason?’
Mrs Arbuthnott told him that most suspects wanted to know the charges they faced.
Adebolajo replied: ‘You are correct and I do not disagree with that.’
As the hearing progressed Adebolajo – who was flanked by two plain clothes police officers and a security guard – suddenly seemed happy to stand up when asked.
At one point David Gottlieb, defending, told him to calm down and said it was just a ‘routine hearing’.
The court heard that the police have instructed a ‘world famous forensic psychologist’ to help them with their investigation.
Mark Topping, a specialist prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service’s counter terrorism division, said: ‘The Crown says the charges are indictable only and they must be sent to the Central Criminal Court.’
Adebolajo was remanded into custody and will appear at the Old Bailey either today or tomorrow for a procedural hearing.
He will then appear at the same court on June 28 alongside Michael Adebowale, who appeared in court last week charged with the murder of Drummer Rigby.
Charges: Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) are accused of murdering Lee Rigby and other related charges
Ring of steel: Armed police outside Westminster Magistrates' Court to deal with the appearance of Michael Adebolajo, 28
Police presence: Large numbers of officers were brought into Central London to guard the court while Adebolajo was inside
Tragic: Drummer Lee Rigby died in the street as he walked back to his barracks in Woolwich
Outside court armed officers patrolled the streets with unarmed colleagues.
Meanwhile, at a short procedural hearing at the Old Bailey, Adebowale, 22, was once again ordered to remain in custody until June 28.
Neither defendant has entered pleas to any of the charges.
Eight other people have been arrested during the investigation into Drummer Rigby’s death.
Six men, aged between 21 and 50, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. All have been released on police bail.
Rikki Thomas, 29, who is understood to be Adebolajo’s partner, and her sister, Danielle, 31, were also arrested last week but subsequently released.
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