Imam shooting: 61-year-old man charged with firearms offences
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Version 0 of 1. Counter-terror detectives investigating the murder of a Syria-born preacher in London have charged a 61-year-old man with offences relating to explosives and firearms. Khalid Rashad, from Wembley in north-west London, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the death of Abdul Hadi Arwani. He was charged on Friday with possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. Rashad is due to appear at Camberwell Green magistrates court on Saturday. Arwani was found with five gunshot wounds, slumped over the wheel of his car with the engine still running and his side window wound halfway down. Leslie Cooper, 36, a Jamaican businessman who runs a clothing company, has been charged with murdering the imam but detectives are continuing their investigation. Scotland Yard said on Friday that searches at the An-Noor mosque in Acton, west London, where Arwani, a father-of-six, used to preach, had been completed. A spokesperson said: “Officers [are working] closely with the local communities affected by the police investigation following the murder of Mr Arwani and would like to thank the community for their ongoing support and understanding throughout this process.” In addition to Rashad and Cooper, officers have made two more arrests. A 53-year-old woman arrested in Brent on 15 April on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, was released on Wednesday with no further action. A 36-year-old man detained on 17 April on suspicion of conspiracy to murder was bailed to a date in early May. |