Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz, who was convicted in the 2009 murder of his six-month pregnant wife, Naila Mumtaz, has been released from prison. Mumtaz received a life sentence in 2012 for killing 21-year-old Naila at the Birmingham home he shared with his parents.
Naila Mumtaz had moved to Britain from Pakistan in 2008 following an arranged marriage. At the time of her death, she was expecting the couple's first child and had limited English, living thousands of miles from her own relatives. Her family described her as a "happy, confident and beautiful" young woman looking forward to motherhood.
Mumtaz, then 25, was convicted alongside his parents, Zia Ul-Haq and Salma Aslam, and his brother-in-law, Hammad Hassan. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 13 years and was released last year after the Parole Board recommended it.
During the trial, Mumtaz claimed Naila had behaved as though she was possessed by a jinn, a supernatural spirit in Islamic folklore, and had attempted to harm herself. He suggested her death was "more like a suicide." However, medical evidence indicated she died from asphyxia and could not have inflicted the fatal injuries herself. Prosecutors argued that Naila was deliberately smothered, with some family members restraining her while others suffocated her.
In their victim impact statement, Naila's relatives said, "She came to Britain to be with her husband; we entrusted our most treasured, beloved only daughter to him and his family." They also noted that she was nearly six months pregnant when she was killed, ending her future hopes and dreams.
Mr. Justice Keith, who presided over the trial, stated that Naila's circumstances aggravated the case, highlighting her pregnancy, isolation in an unfamiliar country, and limited English. The judge suggested that one theory was the family believed a harmful jinn had been sent by Naila's parents and may have "smothered her in order to get rid of the djinn." He acknowledged that the exact motive remained unclear but stated the jury was certain that one or more of the four defendants deliberately smothered Naila while the others participated in restraining her.
Mumtaz was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 13 years. Hammad Hassan received the same minimum term, while Zia Ul-Haq and Salma Aslam were each ordered to serve at least 15 years. The judge noted that while the family may not have intended to kill Naila, their actions could have caused serious harm.
As a life prisoner, Mumtaz remains on license and can be recalled to prison if he breaches its conditions. A Parole Board spokesman confirmed his release, stating that decisions are based on public risk assessment and manageability in the community. The panel reviewed extensive evidence, including details of the original crime, evidence of behavioral change, and the harm caused to victims. The Prison Service commented that the crime was "atrocious" and their thoughts remain with Naila Mumtaz's family and friends.