Muslim Teen Accused of Plotting to Behead British Soldier

A London teenager who converted to Islam has gone on trial accused of plotting to behead a soldier and hold his head in the air to pose for a photograph.

Sky News reports that Brustholm Ziamani, 19, was arrested while carrying a rucksack containing a large knife, a hammer and an Islamic flag. The jury at London’s Old Bailey court heard that he was on his way to carry out the attack when he was detained.

Prosecutor Annabelle Darlow QC said that Ziamani had been a relatively normal teenager until he started a relationship with a 16-year-old girl last year. Within a month he had converted to Islam and, the court heard, demanded his girlfriend also convert. He said he wanted to “die a martyr”.

The prosecution also said that Ziamani considered Michael Adebolajo a “legend”. Adebolajo was jailed last year for the murder of Lee Rigby, a soldier who he and Michael Adebowale mowed down and hacked to death on a London street in 2013.

The prosecution added that Ziamani also posted various messages on social media showing signs of radicalisation. One Facebook post on 3 May 2014 read: “Sharia Law on its way on our streets we will implement it its part of our religion we will get Dem kufar soon we r soldiers of Allah TAKBIR.”

Another post relating to the murder of Lee Rigby said: “Why are They acting like Lee Rigby’s death was the worst death ever he just got run over and stabbed left right centre I bet if n Englishmen did it they wont say nuffin or make a big deal over it but two muslim brothers run over dis kaffar n now makin a big deal.”

Ziamani was arrested on 27 June last year in Camberwell, southeast London. Police found a note in his handwriting saying he was about to do “Jihad holy fighting in Allah’s cause”. It said: “Now we will take a thousand ov yours then ten thousands and send you all to the hell-fire you want war you got it British soldiers heads will be removed and burend u cannot deafet the muslims.. [sic]”

The search history on his phone also showed internet searches for military centres in south London.

The trial continues.