Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo has appeared in court accused of murdering Drummer Lee Rigby.
Dressed in all white with his left arm bandaged, the 28 year old was in the dock flanked by two police officers and a prison guard, and asked to be called Mujahid Abu Hamza.
As he arrived in the courtroom he appeared to blow a kiss to a man in the public gallery and gripped a copy of the Koran throughout the 12-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Adebolajo also smiled and pointed to the sky after he was forced to stand in the dock, having initially refused.
After trying to make several interruptions, he was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey within 48 hours.
Earlier he was swept into court in an armoured vehicle led by a police convoy.
A number of armed officers formed a ring of steel in central London and shut off the roads leading to the court.
Hearing: Woolwich suspect Michael Adebolajo, whose left arm was heavily bandaged, refused to stand in court this morning and held the Koran throughout his first appearance before the courts
Gesture: Those in court said that Adebolajo apparently blew kisses to this man from the dock
Hearing: A police van drives Michael Adebolajo into Westminster Magistrates court, to face charges linked to the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich
Guard: Armed police closed off roads around the court as the prisoner was swept into the central London court
High profile: Adebolajo, 28, who was inside this van, is accused of a series of crimes linked to Drummer Rigby
Court case: Adebolajo appeared to blow a kiss to this unnamed man, who was pictured outside court
Adebolajo, of Romford, Essex, is accused of killing Lee Rigby, 25, in front of horrified onlookers in south-east London a fortnight ago.
He has also been charged with the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm.
He was shot by police and kept in hospital for nearly ten days under armed guard.
Scotland Yard announced on Friday he had been discharged and taken into custody at a south London police station, where he was then charged.
As he left the hearing Adebolajo again smiled and blew a kiss to a man in the public gallery, and they both pointed to the sky.
His left arm was fully bandaged and he held a copy of the Koran.
As he was asked to stand, Adebolajo said: ‘May I ask why? May I ask why?’
When told it is customary to stand, he said: ‘I want to sit.’
Meanwhile the other key suspect in the case appeared at the Old Bailey today.
Michael Adebowale, 22, was remanded in custody as he appeared via video link.
He is also accused of killing the 25-year-old soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment as the soldier made his way back to Woolwich barracks shortly after 2pm on May 22.
Unusual: Adebolajo also made other gestures in the dock, including pointing the the sky while holding the Koran
Charges: Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right) are accused of murdering Lee Rigby and other related charges
Ring of steel: Armed police outside Westminster Magistrates Court to deal wit the appearance of Michael Adebolajo, 28
Police presence: Large numbers of officers were brought into Central London to guard the court while Adebolajo was inside
Tragic: Drummer Lee Rigby died in the street as he walked back to his barracks in Woolwich
Father-of-one Mr Rigby, from Middleton, Rochdale, Lancs, suffered multiple incised wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Adebowale, of Greenwich, is charged with the murder of Drummer Rigby and one count of possessing a 9.4mm KNIL Model 91 revolver.
Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex, is charged with murder, the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm, namely a 9.4mm KNIL Model 91 Revolver with intent fear of unlawful violence.
Read more: Daily Mail
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