The Jewish Voice
Thursday, June 06, 2013
More than a week after a British soldier was killed in broad daylight
on a London street in an apparent Islamist-motivated attack, one of the
suspects has been charged with murder. The other is still recovering in
the hospital after being shot by police. Authorities are trying to
piece together how two British citizens - who were both known to
security services - allegedly went on to commit such a brutal attack.
In the days since the killing, it’s emerged that one of the suspects,
Michael Adebolajo, was arrested in Kenya in 2010, accused of seeking
training with terror group al-Shabab in neighboring Somalia. In video of
the court appearance, he makes this accusation against the Kenyan
authorities.
“These people are mistreating us, we are innocent, believe me,” said Adebolajo.
Extremist views
Adebolajo was then deported back to Britain. Earlier images have
surfaced of Adebolajo attending an Islamist demonstration in London in
2007. A picture is emerging of young men radicalized on the streets and
on the Internet, said terror expert Brooke Rogers of Kings College
London.
“It’s really difficult to understand when somebody’s going to move
from just talking about things online, attending this type of legal
rally, espousing more extremist views publicly even, it’s very difficult
to understand when they’re going to actually move to the point of
violence,” said Rogers.
Both suspects attended meetings by the Islamist group al-Muhajiroun,
headed by Anjem Choudary. The group burned American flags outside the
U.S. Embassy in London on the anniversary of 9/11.
The day after the London attack, Choudary made these remarks.
“If we would withdraw troops from Muslim countries, if we stopped
using all of these oppressive measures, then I don’t think these things
would take place,” said Choudary.
Converts to Islam
Similar rhetoric about the occupation of Muslim lands was used by the suspects at the time of the attack.
“I thought that was quite interesting because they were British
citizens, so identifying with ‘our lands’ - I think we all know they
mean... The rhetoric is simple, pure engagement, either in these groups
where these discussions are taking place - Islamist influenced - or in
the chat rooms, on the websites,” said terror expert Rogers.
Both suspects were converts to Islam. Robin Simcox of The Henry
Jackson Society policy institute said a disproportionate number of
terror offenses in Britain were carried out by converts.
“They feel as if their lives have made the wrong path. And religion
has almost been a way out for them initially. And then eventually, with
some individuals, it’s led to them following more extremist
interpretations,” said Simcox.
The London attack has reignited calls for radical Muslim preachers to be banned.
“Someone who isn’t breaking the law, but is very clearly radicalizing
individuals and giving them extremist interpretations of faith, is an
extremely difficult problem to try to face up to,” said Simcox.
Analysts say that as the investigation reveals new details, the
debate between freedom of speech and tackling radicalization is likely
to intensify.