Ukrainian in court over terror murder and mosque blasts
A Ukrainian man appears in court, charged with the terror-related murder of an elderly Muslim walking home from a mosque and three mosque explosions.
Pavlo Lapshyn, a postgraduate student from Dnepropetrovsk, stands accused of killing 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham in April.
The 25-year-old has been charged with a further three offences related to explosions near mosques in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton, the Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Lapshyn spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to ask to speak to his lawyer during the short hearing. He was accompanied by a team of police and security guards.
He is in the UK on a sponsored work placement at a software firm based in Birmingham and was arrested on suspicion of Mr Saleem’s murder on 20 July.
Outpouring of grief
The pensioner was fatally stabbed near his house as he walked home alone on April 29, prompting an outpouring of grief from the community where he lived.
Lapshyn is also charged with carrying out a series of acts with the intention to commit acts of terrorism between 24 April and 18 July, related to three separate explosions in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton.
This includes: purchasing batteries, a lunch bag, clock and container for the construction of an explosive device, carrying out internet research and visiting locations to plant explosive devices, purchasing chemicals to make explosive devices, and modifying mobile phones to act as detonators.
The charges include 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, following the explosions in Walsall and Tipton.
He is remanded in custody until a bail hearing at the Old Bailey on July 25 and a preliminary trial hearing at the Old Bailey on August 2.
‘Despicable’ attack
The stabbing of Mr Saleem, a highly regarded and well-known figure in the local community, was described by detectives at the time as a “despicable” attack on a defenceless pensioner.
A joint family statement read during a press conference at West Midlands police headquarters on 2 May described Mr Saleem as “a much-loved and respected community member”.
A second man arrested in connection with the mosque bombings has been released without charge. The 22-year-old Ukrainian man arrested last week is now helping counter-terrorism officers as a witness, West Midlands police confirmed.
The pair were detained on 18 July on suspicion of being involved in the commission or instigation of an act of terrorism.