Who is David Amess murder suspect Ali Harbi Ali?
SIR DAVID AMESS' tragic death has rocked the nation after the Conservative MP was stabbed in Essex on Friday.
The politician was killed at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea with police looking to get justice – and one man is in custody.
Who is David Amess murder suspect Ali Harbi Ali?
Ali Harbi Ali has been named as a suspect in the murder of Sir David Amess, after the Tory MP was killed at a Methodist church in the Essex town.
The 25-year-old is a British citizen, with his family coming to the UK from Somali in the 1990s – where his dad is reportedly a senior civil to the government in the African nation.
It is not thought to have been known to security services in the past, although the investigation is ongoing and new details could emerge.
However, the man is understood to have been referred to the Government's anti-terror Prevent programme, where members of the public are asked to spot early signs of radicalisation.
The Sun exclusively revealed that police had discovered Islamist material on his phone following the fatal stabbing.
Meanwhile, Ali Harbi Ali is believed to have travelled 50 miles by train to commit the murder – and admitted to killing Sir David.
When was Ali Harbi Ali arrested?
Ali Harbi Ali was arrested at the scene on Friday by cops after armed police rushed to the church.
It is believed David Amess's killer had been waiting calmly before stabbing the Conservative politician 17 times – only to then sit silently waiting for police to arrive.
Locals had seen the suspect being led away in "jeans and a white top and was completely quiet."
Police have since searched three London homes that they believe may have a connection to the murder.
Cops are also investigating any possible connection with Islamic terror groups, with The Times reporting he may have been inspired by jihadist group al-Shabaab – an offshoot of al-Qaeda.
What did the police say?
Scotland Yard police released a statement following the arrest of the suspect Ali Harbi Ali.
They said: "Late on Friday, whilst in police custody, the man was subsequently further detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and he is now being held at a London police station.
"On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates' Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until October 22, when the warrant expires."
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