CPS News Brief

Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed convicted for murder of Shafilea Ahmed

Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed have been convicted at Chester Crown Court for the murder of their daughter Shafilea Ahmed in 2003 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Paul Whittaker, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said:

“Shafilea Ahmed was 17 when she died and her 26th birthday fell during the course of this trial. The tragic circumstances of her death must be the focus of our thoughts today.

“Despite the best efforts of the defendants to derail the investigation into her death by subverting witnesses including their own children, the Crown Prosecution Service and Cheshire Police have worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and present it to a jury. The statement of Alesha Ahmed, Shafilea’s younger sister, was crucial to our case and today’s result is a testament to her courage over the last two years.

“There are many ways to describe what happened to Shafilea: child abuse, domestic violence and honour based violence being just three. However you choose to characterise it, the CPS is committed to convicting perpetrators such as the Ahmeds. But to do that we need victims and other family members to break ranks and give evidence as Alesha Ahmed did. If you do come forward, this case has shown that the justice system will not let you down.

“The word “shame” has been heard many times during the course of this trial, but the shame is not on Shafilea, it is on her parents.

“Why did they abuse her? Why did they kill her? Put simply, it was because she challenged their regime and refused to conform to their expectations. She wanted to choose how she lived her life and who she married, choices that are fundamental freedoms for any citizen of the United Kingdom.

“There is no honour in murder and Iftikar and Farzana Ahmed are now starting life sentences for abusing and killing their daughter.”

Hans Rausing admits preventing lawful burial

48 year old Hans Kristian Rausing has pleaded guilty today (1 August 2012) at Isleworth Crown Court to one count of preventing lawful and decent burial and one count of driving whilst unfit through drugs.

For preventing the lawful and decent burial of Eva Rausing, the defendant has been sentenced to ten months imprisonment suspended for two years. He must complete a residential drug rehabilitation treatment programme and that will commence immediately.

For driving whilst under the influence of drugs the defendant has been sentenced to two months imprisonment concurrent to the above sentence suspended for two years. He has been disqualified from driving for two years. He must complete a residential drug rehabilitation treatment programme and that will commence immediately.

If Hans Rausing re-offends or fails to complete the drug rehabilitation requirement of his sentence within the two year period of the suspended sentence then he will be sent to prison.

CPS London Head of Homicide Gary Dolby said:

“When making the decision to charge Hans Rausing with preventing the lawful burial of Eva Rausing, the Crown Prosecution Service gave careful consideration as to whether a prosecution was in the public interest.

“Mr. Rausing has well documented personal problems which no doubt contributed to his actions in the weeks following his wife’s death. However, he went to some lengths to conceal her body despite numerous opportunities to tell someone what had happened. This resulted in Mrs Rausing’s family being unaware of her death for some time after it happened.

“His actions were unlawful and it is right that he now has a criminal conviction.”

Brothers sentenced for fundraising for acts of terrorism

Deb Walsh, Deputy Head of the CPS Counter-Terrorism Division said:

“Mohammed Shabir Ali and Mohammed Shafik Ali have today been convicted and sentenced for raising funds for their elder brother’s terrorist activities in Somalia.

“The court heard how the twins were found in possession of a document titled ’44 Ways to Support Jihad’ and raised approximately £3000 in support of their brother’s suspected training and insurgency fighting in Somalia. They also sought instructions on how best to approach potential donors.

“This was a case that demonstrates the network of international support that funds acts of terrorism and in turn seeks to threaten lives. The Ali brothers now face three years in prison for their criminal acts.”

Background Information:

Shabaaz Hussain was arrested at the same time as Shabir and Shafik Ali and was subsequently charged. He pleaded guilty to 7 counts of funding contrary to section 15 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and was sentenced on 9 March 2012 to 5 years and 3 months imprisonment. This funding was in relation to the men in Somalia.

Clarification on decision making in Paul Chambers case

The DPP was not the reviewing lawyer in the case of Paul Chambers, but in June he did instruct the team managing it to consider conceding the appeal. This was considered and progressed, however, at a later stage the DPP was advised that, as a matter of law, conceding the appeal would not be possible. This is because it was not possible because the key finding of fact in the case was a finding of the Crown Court, which only the High Court could overturn. The DPP accepted that advice and reluctantly agreed that the appeal had to proceed.