The family of Abdus Samad today saw their 19-year wait for justice come to an end, after his killer was jailed for his brutal murder in Canonbury in 1997.
Foyjur Rahman, 44, was convicted by an Old Bailey jury after 12 hours of deliberation following a two-week trial. This afternoon, he was given a life sentence of a minimum 18 years in jail.
Members of his family burst into tears, while there were shouts of “yes” from the public gallery as the jury delivered its verdict this morning.
Sister Halima Begum said afterwards: “I have been waiting a long time for the trial to bring justice to the people who viciously murdered my brother who, on all accounts, was very innocent.
“The police have done a fantastic job of investigating this over the years and we are very grateful that justice has prevailed today.”
Mr Samad, co-owner of the Curry in a Hurry takeaway in St Paul’s Road, Highbury, was lured by Rahman and an accomplice - Mohiuddin Bablu, who was convicted in 2012 - to Alwyne Road on May 21, 1997. A fake delivery order had been placed.
Married father-of-two Mr Samad, known as Kamal, was chased and caught by his assailants in Alwyne Villas. Witnesses in the trial described seeing the two men “chop and stab” at his body with a meat cleaver and knife. In all, he suffered 18 wounds and the Whittington Hospital surgeon who tried to save his life described the injuries as “the worst I’ve ever seen”.
Mr Samad, of Bow, was killed after refusing to act as an intermediary in a feud between a Putney takeaway - which Rahman co-owned - and a group in Stoke Newington.
Two days after his murder, Rahman flew to America, where he made a new life. But after detectives uncovered fresh evidence, he was extradited in January.
Det Sgt Nick Miller said: “I have been actively pursuing Mr Rahman for a number of years. It has taken many years and liaison with law enforcement agencies across three countries to reach this stage.
“I am extremely pleased that today the jury has seen to convict Rahman for his part in this violent killing in 1997.
“Mr Samad’s family have never given up hope of seeing those who killed a loving husband, brother and father brought before the court.”
Additional reporting by PA
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