10 August 2016

How Pakistan inspired the Glasgow shopkeeper killer

To what extent was the murder of Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah inspired by the killing of a politician in Pakistan five years ago? And what does this mean for the UK?

CCTV images of the moments just before the murder of Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah show his killer, Tanveer Ahmed, angrily remonstrating with him.

Ahmed was incensed by YouTube videos Shah had made in which he claimed to be a prophet. Ahmed saw this as blasphemy that needed to be punished. He travelled to Scotland from his home in Bradford, then stabbed and beat his victim to death.

Ahmed was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail - but appears completely unrepentant.

In statements released in court Ahmed makes it clear he sees himself as defending the "honour" of the prophet Muhammad. I met friends of his in Bradford who told me they sympathised with his motivation even if they didn't completely agree with his actions. [BBC] Read more