MOHAMMED ANHAR ALI SENTENCED FOR MURDER IN BOW, EAST LONDON

Mohammed Anhar Ali, resident of Old Bethnal Green Road, was convicted and sentenced for the murder of his estranged wife, Nazia Ali, at her home in Bow, east London. The court learned that Ali, a devout Muslim, was distressed by his 25-year-old wife's desire for their two daughters to adopt a more Western lifestyle. Ali, aged 32, had previously hidden inside a cupboard for ten hours before launching an attack after their children had gone to bed.

The Old Bailey court heard that Ali's actions were driven by his inability to accept that Nazia was entitled to leave him, seek a divorce, and live independently. Her family expressed their grief, saying their hearts are "broken beyond repair." Ali was sentenced to serve a minimum of 26 years behind bars.

The court revealed that the couple's relationship had deteriorated after Ali claimed his wife "needed to be exorcised," and Nazia told him in October 2018 that their marriage was over. The following day, on 21 October, Ali ambushed her at her home, armed with two knives, a scarf, and some flex. He punched her, causing injuries to her head and ribs, before strangling her with a scarf.

After the assault, Ali went to sleep next to their children and called the police the next morning. Although he admitted to killing her, Ali denied committing murder. Judge Wendy Joseph QC described him as "a strict Muslim" whose conduct was motivated by his inability to accept Nazia's independence. She stated, "His conduct was fuelled by a failure to accept that Nazia was entitled to leave him, entitled to divorce him, and entitled to live her own life."

The family expressed their profound sorrow, stating their emotions are "broken beyond repair." The verdict underscores the seriousness of the crime and highlights the tragic repercussions of domestic conflicts and cultural tensions in this case.