UK murder suspect arrested in Pakistan

Police say his re-arrest comes after close work between authorities in the UK and those abroad

YORKSHIRE: A suspect in a multiple murder investigation - launched after eight members of a family were killed in a West Yorkshire house fire - was arrested in Pakistan, The Yorkshire Post reported.


Shahid Mohammad - 32-year-old - was detained after three generations of the same family in Huddersield died in 2002.

Five children and three adults from the family were killed in the fire and following the incident, one man was convicted of murder, while two were convicted of manslaughter.

But Shahid failed to answer bail and has been sought by the police ever since the incident. The Yorkshire’s report suggested that he has been arrested in Pakistan.

Police said his re-arrest came after close work between authorities in the UK and those abroad and they are working on bringing him back to the UK.

“We have informed members of the Chisti family of the latest development in the case, and will continue to keep them informed throughout,” said Detective Superintendent Lisa Griffin of West Yorkshire Police.

“Operation Elvington has clearly been a major and long-running inquiry and I thank residents who have come forward with information over the years for their support.”

“We remain utterly focused on working with the UK Foreign Office and authorities in the nation in which the 32-year-old is currently being held to bring him back to the UK to be put before a court.”

Fire

The blaze killed Nafeesa Aziz - 35, and her daughters Tayyaba Bootall - three, Rabiah Bootall - 10, Ateeqa Nawaz - five, Aneesa Nawaz - two, and Najeebah Nawaz - six months.

Aziz’s brother, Mohammed Ateequr Rehman - 18, also died in the fire, and their mother, Zaibun Nisa - 54, died a week later in hospital.

In July 2003, three Huddersfield men - Shaied Iqbal, Shakiel Shazad Amir and Nazar Hussain - were convicted for their part in the crime.