British soldier's alleged killer 'told police he went for jugular as he was hacked to death in London street because that is how animals are killed in Islam'

• Michael Adebolajo told police in interview that he and Michael Adebowale waited at Woolwich Barracks to target a soldier
• Fusilier Rigby 'just so happened to be spotted first', he added
• Defendant said he cut soldier's throat because that is 'most humane'
• He added that he wanted to meet Rigby's family and had no 'vendetta'
  

By Hugo Gye

PUBLISHED: 08:59 EST, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 12:15 EST, 5 December 2013

The alleged murderers of Lee Rigby told police they cut his throat with a knife because 'this is how we kill our animals in Islam', a court was told today.

Michael Adebolajo said in an interview that 'the most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular', the Old Bailey heard.

He allegedly also told detectives that he and Michael Adebowale targeted Fusilier Rigby because he was the first soldier that they saw while waiting near Woolwich Barracks on May 22 this year.

Interview: Footage of Michael Adebolajo talking to police has been shown to an Old Bailey jury

Victim: The alleged killers of Lee Rigby cut his throat because it was 'humane', a court has heard

The two men decided to attack a soldier as 'the most fair target' because members of the military voluntarily put themselves in danger, the jury was told.

Adebolajo, 28, and Adebowale, 22, are accused of mowing Fusilier Rigby down in a car before hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives in front of multiple witnesses.

During a police interview from June 1 played to the court, Adebolajo, covered by a blue blanket with a copy of the Koran in front of him, said that 'Allah had chosen' the soldier to be his victim.

'When I thought about obeying Allah in the past I thought maybe it is possible to kill a man by driving into him,' he said.

'When he crossed the road in front of me so casually it was almost as if I was not in control of myself. I accelerated, I hit him and I think I also crashed into a sign post.'

Family: Fusilier Rigby's relatives arriving at the Old Bailey for yesterday's hearing in the murder trial

He went on: 'We did not wish to give him much pain - I could see he was still alive. We exited the vehicle and I am not sure how I struck the first blow.

'The most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular, this is what I believe, this is how we kill our animals in Islam. He may be my enemy but he is a man - so I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head.'

He said he thought Fusilier Rigby was the 'non-Muslim version of myself and my brother Ismail [ie Adebowale]', adding: 'To be killed on the battlefield is not something we shy away from and in fact this is something that Allah loves.'

Earlier in the video, Adebolajo insisted that the alleged killing was not 'a personal vendetta', and said he would like to speak to the dead soldier's family.

'I have never met the family of Lee Rigby', he said. 'Quite possibly I may have walked past one of them in the street. I do not hate them. I do not hate them, nor does my brother Ismail, he does not. This is not a personal vendetta.'

Damage: The Vauxhall Tigra allegedly driven into the soldier by Adebolajo and Adebowale

Describing the day of the killing, he said: 'We decided to wait in the vicinity of the barracks that are in Woolwich. By the command of Allah, Allah's decree, we waited to find a soldier because between us we decided that the soldier is the most fair target because he joins the army with kind of an understanding that your life is at risk.'

He added: 'We sat in wait and it just so happened that he was the soldier that was spotted first.'

Adebolajo appeared to break down for a few seconds as he recalled the events and muttered: 'Forgive me, OK.'

'No vendetta': Adebolajo, pictured on May 22, insisted he had nothing against Lee Rigby personally

Frequently straying away from the point, the suspect praised Ukip leader Nigel Farage, saying that he would answer 'straight questions'.

Adebolajo also told detectives he had been 'generous' with his time in taking part in the interview.

Jurors were also read a statement from retired Brigadier Ian Liles, who described Fusilier Rigby, known as 'Riggers', as 'extremely professional, popular and witty'.

He said: 'His outgoing personality made him ideal for this role, and he had a natural affinity with young people.

'An extremely professional, popular and witty soldier, Fusilier Rigby was a larger than life personality who was well-known and liked by all who came across him, regardless of rank or status.

'His loyalty and work ethic were beyond reproach, and no matter how arduous the task he carried it out to the best of his ability and always with a smile on his face.'

Detective constable Dhuval Bhatt said that officers decided to arranged an urgent interview with Abebolajo because 'it was believed that there were others out there who may be planning attacks'.

The court heard that after he was charged, Adebolajo handed a note to police, saying it would make the officer he gave it to famous because it was the first thing he had written 'since killing a man and being shot by police'.

Jurors were also told that extremist material belonging to Adebolajo was found when they searched his father's house.

This included one book called Extreme Islam, in which the following passages had been highlighted: 'Allah does not like any drop more than the drop of blood shed in his way', 'Martyrdom means transfusion of blood into society' and, 'That is why Islam is always in need of martyrs. The revival of courage and zeal is essential for the revival of a nation'.

Courtroom: The two defendants watching the video of Adebolajo's interview with police

Another book included a chapter entitled: 'The virtues of killing a non-believer for the sake of Allah'.
Works by Anwar al-Awlaki, described as a Muslim scholar, were among the material, and a copy of the magazine Inspire, which the court heard is reportedly published by Al Qaeda.

In Adebowale's flat they found a computer and USB stick containing material covering jihad and martyrdom. This included a 'Syrian al-Nusra Front' poster and a speech by al-Awlaki.

The memory card in his BlackBerry phone also contained documents and lectures on the same topics, the court heard.

Adebolajo and Adebowale are both accused of murdering Fusilier Rigby, attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder a police officer. They deny all charges.

The trial continues.

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