First photo of London terrorist as he’s unmasked as knife-obsessed Islamic State fanatic

This is the first picture of the terror suspect who was shot dead by police after two people were stabbed in Streatham, south London, earlier today.

Although the suspect has not been formally identified yet, DAC Lucy D’Orsi of the Met Police said in a statement tonight they are confident he was Sudesh Amman, 20.

Amman left prison just a matter of days ago after serving half of his more-than three year sentence, it is understood.

He was sentenced in December 2018 for possessing and distributing terrorist documents.

The then 18-year-old, who was described as ‘knife-obsessed’, was found with a stash of bomb-making and close-combat manuals – including one titled ‘How to Make A Bomb in Your Kitchen’.

Amman, from Harrow, Middlesex, also shared Al-Qaeda propaganda on a family WhatsApp group, exposing relatives as young as 11 to violent material.

The North West London College student shared bomb making schematics via Skype and an entry of a seized notebook allegedly outlined his “goal” to die as a martyr, a court heard at the time.

In other online chats, Amman told his girlfriend of his hatred for “kuffars” (non-believers), his allegiance to ISIS and his wish to carry out a terror attack.

In one message he even encouraged his girlfriend to behead her own “kuffar parents”, the court previously heard.

At the time he was jailed, Acting Commander Alexis Boon, head of the Met Police counter-terrorism command, said about Amman: “His fascination with dying in the name of terrorism was clear in a notepad we recovered from his home.”

Sam Armstrong, from the Henry Jackson Society, said Amman was thought to have been staying in a bail hostel in Tulse Hill.

He said the society had warned in December that Amman was due for release within the next two months and should not be let out of prison.

Speaking about the terror suspect, a Whitehall source said earlier this evening: “He was under surveillance, that is what allowed police to do their job so quickly. It could have been much worse than it was.

“There had been concerns when he was in prison but there were no powers for any authority to keep him behind bars.

“There was nothing that could be done to keep him behind bars under existing laws, hence why he was under surveillance and strict licencing conditions.

“He had served half of his sentence, which was more than three years, so had to be released despite concerns over his conduct.

“The public will look at this case and say why was this individual not kept behind bars and the Prime Minister shares that view.

“This shines a light on something that clearly needs addressing.”

A Whitehall source said that the ‘very stringent’ licencing conditions included a curfew.

Armed police shot the suspect dead after two people were stabbed and a third injured in the “terror-related” attack which detectives said is “Islamist-related”.

Officers had been following the suspect on foot.

Police said in a statement that a hoax device was found strapped to the body of the man killed by armed officers.

A private ambulance was earlier seen arriving at the scene in Streatham to take the body away.

One of the victims of the attack, a man in his 40s, was earlier in a life-threatening condition after the incident. This is thankfully no longer the case, police confirmed.

A woman in her 50s has been discharged from hospital after suffering non life threatening injuries. Another woman who suffered minor injuries continues to receive treatment.

Police described the incident as “isolated” and said it had been “contained”.

DAC Lucy D’Orsi of the Met Police thanked members of the public and the emergency services this evening, adding that she is ‘extremely proud of the bravery of the armed officers’.

In a statement this evening the Prime Minister said: “An investigation is taking place at pace to establish the full facts of what happened, and the Government will provide all necessary support to the police and security services as this work goes on.

“Following the awful events at Fishmonger’s Hall in December, we have moved quickly to introduce a package of measures to strengthen every element of our response to terrorism – including longer prison sentences and more money for the police.

“Tomorrow, we will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offences.”

A row erupted over the early release of serious criminals in the wake of the London Bridge attack in November, which saw two people killed.

Terrorist Usman Khan was released on licence having served half of a 16-year sentence for terror offences.

The Ministry of Justice ordered an urgent review of early release after the knife attack.

Mr Johnson has claimed scrapping the system of early release would have stopped Khan.

Dave Merritt, whose son Jack was stabbed to death along with Saskia Jones in the attack last year, has tweeted about today’s “senseless” incident.

He wrote: “Troubled by the senseless attacks in Streatham today.

“I hope all the victims pull through. Love to them and all their friends and relations.

“Love and solidarity also to all Muslim people; we know that the person who did this does not represent you. No reprisals.”

A statement from DAC Lucy D’Orsi of the Met Police said: “At approximately 1400hrs on Sunday, 2 February two people were stabbed in Streatham High Road, Lambeth.

“As part of a proactive Counter Terrorism operation, armed officers were in immediate attendance and shot a male suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A third person also received minor injuries – believed to have been caused by glass following the discharge of the police firearm.”

Source: Mirror