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Man appears in court over murder and mosque blasts Man appears in court over murder and mosque blasts
(about 1 hour later)
A man has appeared in court charged with the terror-related murder of an 82-year-old grandfather as he walked home from a mosque.A man has appeared in court charged with the terror-related murder of an 82-year-old grandfather as he walked home from a mosque.
Pavlo Lapshyn, a 25-year-old postgraduate student from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, is accused of killing Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham in April.Pavlo Lapshyn, a 25-year-old postgraduate student from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, is accused of killing Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham in April.
Lapshyn has also been charged with three further offences related to three explosions near mosques in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton, Westminster magistrates court heard on Tuesday.Lapshyn has also been charged with three further offences related to three explosions near mosques in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton, Westminster magistrates court heard on Tuesday.
Lapshyn was arrested last week by officers carrying out a counter-terrorism investigation into the explosions. Lapshyn, who is in the UK on a sponsored work placement at a software firm based in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, was arrested last week by officers carrying out a counter-terrorism investigation into the explosions.
The student, in the UK on a sponsored work placement at a software firm based in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, was later arrested on suspicion of Saleem's murder. Lapshyn spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to request to speak to his lawyer during the 10-minute hearing.
The pensioner was fatally stabbed just yards from his house as he walked home alone after worship, on 29 April, prompting an outpouring of grief from the community where he lived. The court heard that Lapshyn was charged with carrying out a series of acts with the intention to commit acts of terrorism between 24 April and 18 July, related to the three explosions.
West Midlands police said they did not believe there was any "ongoing threat from this case" but that officers were working with the Ukrainian authorities to look into Lapshyn's past. They include purchasing batteries, a lunch bag, clock and container as part of the construction of an explosive device, carrying out internet research and visiting intended locations to plant explosive devices, purchasing chemicals to make explosive devices and modifying mobile phones to act as detonators, it is alleged.
Investigators from the West Midlands counter-terrorism unit were flying to the country in the next few days to continue their inquiries. Lapshyn is also charged with two separate offences of unlawfully and maliciously causing an explosion with the intent to danger life or cause serious injury to a person or property on 21 June and 12 July, in Walsall and Tipton respectively.
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said: "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. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at a bail hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday. He is due to appear at a preliminary trial hearing at the Old Bailey on 2 August.
"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. A second man arrested in connection with the explosions has been released without charge. Police said the 22-year-old man, also from Ukraine, was now helping counter-terrorism officers as a witness.
"For the family who lost a beloved grandfather, it has been a particularly difficult time and we will continue to support them." The pair were initially detained on 18 July on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
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. Following their arrest, the "seat of an explosion and debris" were found on a roundabout near the Wolverhampton central mosque. Police believe the debris came from a device that exploded on the city's Fiveways roundabout at about 9.15am on 28 June.
"I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Pavlo Lapshyn with one count of murder. The remnants of a homemade explosive device were found outside a mosque in Walsall on 22 June, and another device, containing nails, exploded near a mosque in Binfield Road, Tipton, on 12 July. No one was injured by any of the explosions.
"This decision was taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors. Saleem was fatally stabbed yards from his house as he walked home alone after worship on 29 April.
"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."
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