CPS authorises two further charges against Axel Rudakubana

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised two further charges against Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 18, from Banks in Lancashire.

"Axel Rudakubana already faces three charges of murder, 10 charges of attempted murder and one charge of possession of a knife – all relating to the incident at Hart Street, Southport on 29 July 2024.

"The two further offences relate to evidence obtained by Merseyside Police during searches of Axel Rudakubana’s home address, as part of the lengthy and complex investigation that followed the events of 29 July 2024."

The additional charges are:

1. Production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.

2. Possessing information, namely a PDF file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual” of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

We are determined to deliver justice in this case, and as such we remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.