Fourth suspect in London arson attack on Jewish ambulances remanded in custody | UK news
A fourth suspect accused after four Jewish community ambulances were set on fire in north-west London has been detained.
Judex Atshatshi, 18, a British national from Dagenham, east London, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Saturday and was charged with arson with intent to damage property and recklessness as to whether life would be endangered.
During a brief hearing, Atshatshi spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and was taken into custody. Prosecutors say they believe the incident was a targeted attack on the Jewish community.
Prosecutors said ambulances from volunteer-led ambulance service Hatzola, which operates in the Golders Green area, were set on fire on the morning of March 23, causing gas cylinders stored in the vehicles to explode and causing £1 million of damage.
Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19, from Leyton, east London, and a 17-year-old boy with dual British-Pakistani citizenship from Walthamstow, were charged with arson, recklessness about whether life would be endangered and were detained in early April.
The Metropolitan Police said Atshatshi was arrested on Thursday after counter-terrorism detectives attended two addresses in east London.
Another 18-year-old youth, who was arrested on the same day on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, was released on bail until July. The four defendants are expected to appear at the Old Bailey on April 24.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime and counter-terrorism section, said: “We worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command in carrying out the investigation.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are ongoing and that they have the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there is no news, comment or sharing of information online that could harm these proceedings in any way.”
Hatzola services began in New York in the 1960s. They operate a stepped-up ambulance service in Hasidic communities, but serve anyone who needs it.
Andrew Walters, an Orthodox Jewish councilor in Greater Manchester, said in March: “It’s not just a Jewish ceremony. If there’s a call from the area, they’ll come to your aid, whoever you are. It doesn’t cost anyone anything and they’ll go in any situation, even on Shabbat.”
