Murdered Man's Wife Releases Statement

28 March 2011, 16:48 | Updated: 28 March 2011, 17:00

Following the sentencing today of six people in connection with the kidnap and murder of Mahmood Ahmad, his family have issued the following statement and tribute.

Mahmood’s wife Farah said: “The events of the early hours of Sunday, March 7, 2010, when Mahmood did not come home from work have never left me. Knowing he was only steps away from the front door kills me everyday. While I was waiting for him inside, Mahmood was being bundled into a car, to later be tortured and eventually killed by people that I can only describe as evil.

“The acts committed that night have destroyed the lives of our families and friends.  It is heartbreaking and devastating to know what this innocent blameless man had to suffer. I am pleased that the people who are responsible for murdering my husband in the most brutal way will be spending a very long time behind bars." 

Farah and Mahmood met in March 2006 and married in March 2008.  Farah added: “What drew me towards him was his kindness. He was a caring and loving man. Our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life and Mahmood and I were looking forward to our life together. 

“In the early stages of the police investigation our families were still convinced that Mahmood would return home to us safe and well.  However, the longer time went on and with no news of Mahmood, other than the recovery of part of his hand, we had to come to terms with the fact that Mahmood would never come home to us.  Not knowing what has happened to Mahmood’s body and being able to say our goodbyes and lay him to rest properly from both a personal and religious point of view has been devastating. 

“As the investigation into Mahmood’s murder continued we became fully aware of the horrendous and disgusting acts that Mohammed Riaz had carried out not only to his ex wife Nahid, but numerous other members of Mahmood’s family.  As with the other members of Mahmood’s family, Mahmood was a completely innocent party in Riaz’s evil games, which came to a devastating conclusion in March last year, leaving me without my husband. 

“My family and I have been forced to go through many weeks heartache during this trial having to listen to the lies of those that stood accused of Mahmood’s murder.  We had hoped that during the trial we would find out where my husband’s body was and this was one of the main reasons my family and I have attended the trial.  No empathy or compassion was ever shown by those who murdered Mahmood, instead it was the opposite. 

“We were just a normal loving family and things will never be the same, losing Mahmood has changed my life forever.  Mahmood was the kindest and most selfless person I have ever met, and we believe he died protecting his family.  He was only 41 and he had his whole life to live.  

“I will relive these events everyday for the rest of my life, the defendants do not realise what they have done. Having Mahmood taken from us will haunt me everyday for the rest of my life.”

Mahmood Ahmad was killed in March 2010, by his ex-brother in law who was fixated with finding out where his ex-wife (Mr Ahmad's sister) was living.

Today Mohammed Riaz and his brother and sister along with three others who had helped in the kidnapping and subsequent cover up were jailed for a total of 78 years.

Riaz, 34, of no fixed abode, who had put the gang together was jailed for thirty years and his brother Sharif Mohammed, 37, of Vista Drive in Ilford received a 26 year sentence.

Their sister Sabra Suntana, 36, of Kiwi Terrace in Ilford, whose flat was used for the killing and dismemberment received a three year sentence.

Her boyfriend Amirzada Hussain, 37, of Churston Avenue in Plaistow, East London, was cleared of the murder but convicted of Mr Ahmad's manslaughter. He was jailed for 12 years.

Two teenagers who helped kidnap the victim were each jailed for three and a half years.