Ali Harby Ali, 25, was convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey today for repeatedly stabbing the 69-year-old father of five, Sir David, on 15 October 2021 and for a second offense of plotting terrorist acts.
He used a false address to deceive parliamentarians that he lived in the area and traveled from London to Lee-on-Sea armed with the large kitchen knife used in the attack.
Following the verdict, Nick Price, head of counterterrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Sir David’s murder was a horrific attack on an MP while he was doing his job. But it was also an attack on our democracy, an attack on all of us, an attack on our way of life.
“It was a horrific act of terrorism motivated by religious and ideological convictions. Ali chose to commit this heinous crime for his own selfish and hateful reasons.
“There is no place for terrorism in our society, and we will continue to prosecute these acts to the fullest extent of the law.
“Our thoughts today remain with Sir David’s family and friends. Their pain and suffering does not end with this conviction.”
During the trial, the jury heard Ali claim before the fatal attack that he wanted to discuss foreign policy, but instead pulled a large knife from his pocket and stabbed Sir David in the stomach.
Two members of the public heard Ali confess to the murder and he also threatened to stab the witnesses, which prevented them from going to the MP’s aid. He told them that the attack was planned and that he wanted to kill every member of parliament who voted for bombings in Syria.
When the police arrived, witnesses stated that Ali rushed towards them in an attempt to be shot.
As part of the case, Rospotrebnadzor proved that Ali had been planning to commit a terrorist act for some time.
Since May 2019, he has been investigating and planning attacks on members of parliament and the Houses of Parliament. This included specific trips to the constituency of MP Mike Freer and the home address of Michael Gove.
After his arrest, a note was found on his phone that he had written to his family and friends explaining why he committed this crime. In the minutes immediately before the attack, he sent them this note. Another note, created in May 2019, was also found on his phone, outlining his plans for another attack.
On his home computer, there were several search queries and web page results relating to MPs and their operations. The investigation revealed that Ali conducted reconnaissance near Mike Freer’s surgery on September 17, 2021 and Michael Gove’s home four times in March and June 2021.
A member of one of Mike Freer’s operations identified a man who matched Ali’s description and was looking at the building. CCTV footage also shows Ali conducting reconnaissance of the area around the Parliament building on September 16, 20 and 22, 2021.
Ali will be sentenced later.