Grandfather’s killer tried to slander our family.. he’s disgusting & I hope that he rots in prison
Attempts to tarnish victim’s reputation to save himself are condemned
THE granddaughter of a murdered restaurant boss yesterday condemned his killer for trying to trash her grandad’s reputation in court.
Aberdeen businessman Kazi Ahmad was stabbed to death by his chef Riasat Khan, who then vanished for nearly 40 years before being brought to justice.
As Kazi’s family sat in court in Edinburgh, Khan claimed he killed the 41-year-old father of four in self-defence after rebutting sexual advances.
But Kazi’s granddaughter, Aysha Begum, who wasn’t born when he was murdered in October 1978, expressed revulsion at Khan’s claims.
The 27-year-old said: “I hope he rots in jail. My grandfather looked after him. He was a poor person, no money and no job, but he employed him and gave him accommodation.
“It’s disgusting how he repaid him. He’s a vile man. I was so disgusted with what I heard from him in court.
“I wanted to walk out of the court. How could he stand there,
having taken an oath, and tell a pack of lies?
“I’m so glad the prosecutor told him he was going down accusing him of trying to take an innocent man’s reputation down with him.
“That’s what he tried to do to try and save himself. He had no remorse, no regrets. It was very sad to witness. He was so vile, disgusting. I just can’t believe it.
“He needs to have a harsh sentence and life needs to mean life so that he doesn’t come out again.”
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how police and prosecutors found no evidence that the murder was motivated by sexual desire.
Kazi liked to visit casinos after work at his Raj Dulal restaurant in Aberdeen’s Dee Street, where he welcomed customers such as future Eurythmics star Annie Lennox.
He enjoyed sharing his success at the tables with his staff and Khan, then 24, began to accompany him to the city’s gambling joints.
After the murder at the staff flat in the city’s Rosemount area, Khan fled by train to Edinburgh where he blew £900 at a bookmaker in nine single bets.
The fugitive, who quickly became the prime suspect, disappeared, travelling by ferry to France, through Italy and by boat to Greece.
He came back to the UK from Pakistan in the 90s and as time passed, believed he’d got away with murder until he was snared in May 2016 trying to board a flight at Birmingham airport.
Aysha said: “What we need to know now is why it has taken so long to arrest this evil man. The trial has been quite draining, a real rollercoaster of emotions. It’s very sad for the family.”
She helps look after her grandmother Syida, now 72, at their home in Manchester.
She said: “My mum was 11 when my grandad was murdered. She had two other sisters and my grandma was also heavily pregnant.
“She was pregnant with my uncle at the time and he was born 11 days after his dad was murdered.
“My grandma’s had a very tragic life. It’s been hard. My grandad lost his businesses. Grandma didn’t know what happened to them because she was back home and didn’t know what was going on.
“She was in a state of shock. And shortly afterwards one of my aunties passed away.”
The version of events told by Khan in court caused upset but Aysha refused to let it get to her.
She said: “Khan tried to slander our family. We all know the motive.
“My grandad was very successful. I’ve been told how successful he was but he was a very humble man.
“It was nice to hear from the people who worked for him just how appreciated he was.
“It was the best thing when we saw him getting cuffed up and taken away.”
It was a moment her gran thought she would never see.
Aysha said: “My grandma is very frail but she’s been so patient for 38 years.
“It’s just so sad. She was about 31 or 32 when it happened. She was very young but never remarried.
“She brought up three kids by herself. She had four until one of my aunties passed away.
“He not only took away a family man and a husband but he took away a father, friend and a businessman.
“It a shame we grandchildren never got to meet him because he just sounds like the most amazing man who would have supported you through anything.
“He liked a challenge. He was a very courageous man and it’s amazing listening to his story, it’s like a legacy.”
Khan, now 63, will be sentenced on November 24 but faces spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Detective Superintendent Jim Smith of Police Scotland’s major investigation team said: “Mr Ahmad’s family have spent these years wondering if anyone would be held accountable for his murder, and I hope this outcome can give them some comfort knowing his killer will now be behind bars.
“The passage of time is never a barrier to ensuring that those who commit crime are brought to justice.
“Khan has proved to be a difficult individual to trace but he did not evade justice forever.
“Khan may have spent the last 40 years with what he did on his conscience, however, he now must face the stark reality and consequences of his actions.”