Pair arrested over 'plot to kill female family member for renouncing Islam'

5 September 2019, 13:42

Two men have been arrested over an alleged plot to kidnap and kill a female relative after she left the UK and renounced Islam.

Mohammed Patman, 54, and Darya Khan Safi, 49, were wanted in Slovakia on suspicion of plotting the murder of the 25-year-old woman, who left the UK to work there.

The pair, who are both originally from Afghanistan, were detained by armed officers from the National Crime Agency(NCA) in their respective homes in London and Coventry on Wednesday.

An investigation was launched after Slovakian authorities informed the NCA of the alleged murder plot.

The men were put under surveillance as they prepared to make multiple trips to Austria and Solvakia, where the woman lives with her husband.

Investigators believe they spied on their victim during their visits there.

Patman and Safi are being held on European Arrest Warrants and will now face extradition to Slovakia.

Officers claim they were seen blacking out the windows and installing winter tyres on a vehicle they used to drive to both countries.

Their phones and internet records were also gleaned for information, and officers have alleged they show the men discussing the murder.

They have been remanded in custody until their next appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on 12 September.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Matthew Perfect, said: "Patman and Safi were sought by the Slovakian authorities for the extremely serious offence of preparing to commit first degree murder.

"Protecting the British public is a core part of the NCA's mission and these are two potentially violent individuals who will no longer pose a threat.

"They were arrested as a result of some excellent joint working between the NCA and our partners in Slovakia and throughout Europe.

"Such strong international cooperation is key in allowing us and our partners to pursue the most dangerous criminals across borders."