Suliaman Tajzai, identified as an Afghan migrant who arrived in the UK four years ago by inflatable boat from France, has pleaded guilty to the murder of Farmanullah Sherzad. The 18-year-old, who claims not to know his date of birth, traveled from his home in Leeds to London to carry out the attack.
Tajzai lay in wait outside Mr. Sherzad's home near Westminster Abbey. On March 27, when Mr. Sherzad returned, Tajzai pursued him and stabbed him with a large kitchen knife. The victim was found with the weapon embedded in his chest, suffering injuries that included a collapsed lung.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC told the Old Bailey that Tajzai's actions were premeditated. Footage shown in court revealed Tajzai browsing for knives in Leeds on the day of the killing. He then traveled to London, changed his clothes, and donned a surgical mask before going to the victim's residence.
Court documents indicate that Tajzai and his cousin, Zakirullah Tarakhail, had previously confronted Mr. Sherzad after discovering he was secretly messaging Mr. Tarakhail's wife, Safa. In September of the previous year, Mr. Tarakhail had filed a police report against Mr. Sherzad, alleging stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offense. Mr. Sherzad, who was arrested at the time but had the case against him dropped, claimed he and Safa Tarakhail were romantically involved and that he had been lured to the couple's flat, only to be ambushed by the husband and Tajzai.
Tajzai initially denied murder, with his defense citing psychiatric evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, on the fourth day of his trial, he changed his plea to guilty. He also admitted to possession of a knife in a public place. Tajzai was taken into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.