Evening Standard/London
A 61-year-old man has been charged by detectives investigating the murder of a Syrian-born preacher in north London.
Khalid Rashad is due in court charged with possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, police said. He is the second man to be charged in the investigation.
It comes amid a continued investigation by the Met’s counter-terror unit after Abdul Hadi Arwani was found dead in a parked car in Wembley on April 7.
The 48-year-old father of six - who died of gunshot wounds - had been an outspoken critic of the Assad regime in Syria.
A total of four people have now been arrested in connection with Arwani’s murder.
Leslie Cooper, 36, of Nightingale Road, Brent, appeared at the Old Bailey on April 16 charged with Arwani’s murder. He is due to appear in court again on Tuesday.
Rashad, of Monks Park Drive, Wembley, has been remanded in custody to appear at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, police said.
In a statement last week, Arwani’s son Murhaf Arwani said he wished to thank the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
“We would also like to thank the community for the outpouring of support during this extremely difficult time,” he said.
“We are touched to learn how many people my father helped, advised and inspired in his short life.
“If anyone has any additional information that can help with the investigation, we urge you to please come forward and speak to the Metropolitan Police.
“Your co-operation will help us close this painful page and begin to move on with our lives, in the knowledge that the person who took away our father, will be brought to justice and duly punished for this heinous crime.”
Muslim convert Burnell “Bernie” Mitchell, 61, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder last week by counter terror detectives.
He has since been bailed after being questioned on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
Abdul Hadi Arwani was known for his criticism of the Syrian regime.
