Man who fled to Pakistan after daughter’s demise in UK says ‘will cooperate’
The fugitive father and stepmother of a 10-year-old lady discovered useless at her residence in Britain stated Wednesday that they’re ready to cooperate with UK authorities, after they fled to Pakistan.
Sara Sharif was discovered useless within the southern UK city of Woking on August 10 and a autopsy take a look at revealed she had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries” over a sustained interval, British police stated.
Police imagine Urfan Sharif, aged 41, his accomplice Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, fled to Pakistan earlier than the physique was discovered to take refuge with members of the family there, sparking a global manhunt.
“Sara’s death was an incident. Our family in Pakistan are severely affected by all that is going on,” Batool stated in a video shared with AFP by her kin.
“My main concern is that Pakistani police will torture or kill us that is why we have gone into hiding.
“Lastly, we’re keen to cooperate with UK authorities and struggle our case in courtroom,” she said.
In the two-and-a-half-minute low-quality clip, Sharif remains silent while Batool reads from a notebook. Malik did not appear in the video clip.
“All of our members of the family have gone into hiding as everyone seems to be scared for his or her security,” she said.
Urfan’s father, Muhammad Sharif, told AFP that the couple stayed at the family’s Kashmir home for two days when they arrived in Pakistan.
“The Pakistani police have been harassing us for the previous three weeks,” the 68-year-old told AFP by phone.
“If my son has dedicated any wrongdoing, his brothers should not be punished for it,” he added.
The family has approached the courts, seeking the release of relatives who were detained by Pakistani police.
In Pakistan, rights groups have long accused police of unlawfully detaining family members of suspects as a means to pressure them into surrendering to the authorities.
Pakistan and Britain do not have an extradition treaty but do sometimes deport wanted citizens on a case-by-case basis.
Surrey Police said it had been “made conscious” of the video and described suggestions that the family may be willing to cooperate as “important”.
“We stay completely dedicated to conducting an intensive investigation into Sara’s demise,” a statement read.
“Any co-operation from the individuals we wish to communicate to will help the enquiry.”
The force said the welfare of five children who travelled to Pakistan the day before Sara’s body was found was “a precedence” and it was liaising with British and worldwide companions, together with Interpol.
Published On:
Sep 7, 2023
