Who Is David Amess’ Murder Suspect Ali Harbi Ali?

Ali Harbi Ali is a person of interest in the assassination of Sir David Amess.

Amess, Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess, is a British politician. Since 1983, he has served as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP), initially representing Basildon and then Southend West since 1997.

According to Whitehall authorities, Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old British man of Somali descent, has been detained in connection with the murder of MP Sir David Amess.

Ali Harbi Ali is being held at a London police station under the Terrorism Act 2000, and officers had until October 22 to question him.

According to the BBC, Mr. Ali was apparently put to the UK’s counter-terrorism Prevent scheme several years ago.

Sir David, a Conservative MP since 1983, was stabbed multiple times at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, during a monthly Friday meeting with constituents.

Mr. Ali was imprisoned in London under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act after being arrested in Essex on suspicion of murder.

Magistrates issued a warrant authorizing detectives to hold Mr. Ali in custody until Friday, October 22.