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| Ukrainian man charged with 'terrorist-related murder' of Mohammed Saleem | Ukrainian man charged with 'terrorist-related murder' of Mohammed Saleem |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A 25-year-old Ukrainian man has been charged with the terrorist-related murder of 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem. | A 25-year-old Ukrainian man has been charged with the terrorist-related murder of 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem. |
| The suspect was originally arrested last Thursday under terrorism laws after a series of bomb attacks against mosques. | The suspect was originally arrested last Thursday under terrorism laws after a series of bomb attacks against mosques. |
| Saleem, 82, was killed on 29 April, as he walked from a mosque to his home in Small Heath just after 10pm. | Saleem, 82, was killed on 29 April, as he walked from a mosque to his home in Small Heath just after 10pm. |
| The decision to charge came after the case was taken over by the West Midlands police counter-terrorism unit. | The decision to charge came after the case was taken over by the West Midlands police counter-terrorism unit. |
| The man charged is Pavlo Lapshyn, a postgraduate student from Dnipropetrovsk. Police said he had been charged "with the terrorist-related murder of Birmingham pensioner Mohammed Saleem". | The man charged is Pavlo Lapshyn, a postgraduate student from Dnipropetrovsk. Police said he had been charged "with the terrorist-related murder of Birmingham pensioner Mohammed Saleem". |
| The 25-year-old – who had been in the UK on a sponsored work placement – was arrested over the murder on Saturday. | The 25-year-old – who had been in the UK on a sponsored work placement – was arrested over the murder on Saturday. |
| He was first arrested last week after home-made bombs exploded outside three mosques in the West Midlands; the first on 21 June in Walsall, the next, a week later in Wolverhampton and the third, on 12 July, involving a nail bomb in Tipton. | He was first arrested last week after home-made bombs exploded outside three mosques in the West Midlands; the first on 21 June in Walsall, the next, a week later in Wolverhampton and the third, on 12 July, involving a nail bomb in Tipton. |
| Saleem, who used a walking stick, was stabbed three times in the back as he returned home from prayers at his local mosque. | Saleem, who used a walking stick, was stabbed three times in the back as he returned home from prayers at his local mosque. |
| Saleem's funeral, delayed because of the police investigation, was attended by more than 5,000 people. | Saleem's funeral, delayed because of the police investigation, was attended by more than 5,000 people. |
| A 22-year-old Ukrainian national who was also arrested on the same day as the 25-year-old was released without charge on Sunday. | A 22-year-old Ukrainian national who was also arrested on the same day as the 25-year-old was released without charge on Sunday. |
| Police said: "The second man was last night released from police custody without charge." | Police said: "The second man was last night released from police custody without charge." |
| Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale says: "We are still working hard to uncover all the facts and urge anyone who thinks they have information that may assist us to call 101. | Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale says: "We are still working hard to uncover all the facts and urge anyone who thinks they have information that may assist us to call 101. |
| "We understand that these incidents have caused a great deal of anxiety and distress within local communities and I want to thank them for the way they have dealt with the developments and the assistance they have given my officers. | "We understand that these incidents have caused a great deal of anxiety and distress within local communities and I want to thank them for the way they have dealt with the developments and the assistance they have given my officers. |
| "For the family who lost a beloved grandfather it has been a particularly difficult time and we will continue to support them." | "For the family who lost a beloved grandfather it has been a particularly difficult time and we will continue to support them." |
| Louise Gray, a lawyer in the Crown Prosecution Service counter-terrorism division, said: "Following an investigation by West Midlands counter-terrorism unit, I have been considering the evidence gathered from the inquiry into the murder of Mohammed Saleem. | Louise Gray, a lawyer in the Crown Prosecution Service counter-terrorism division, said: "Following an investigation by West Midlands counter-terrorism unit, I have been considering the evidence gathered from the inquiry into the murder of Mohammed Saleem. |
| "I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Pavlo Lapshyn with one count of murder. This decision was taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors. | "I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Pavlo Lapshyn with one count of murder. This decision was taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors. |
| "Pavlo Lapshyn now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing should now be reported that could prejudice that trial." | "Pavlo Lapshyn now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing should now be reported that could prejudice that trial." |
| Lapshyn will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday. | Lapshyn will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday. |