Taxi driver admits to murdering Scotland shopkeeper for 'disrespecting' Islam

According to UK media reports, 32-year-old Tanveer Ahmed stated that he killed shopkeeper Asad Shah, 40, because he had claimed to be a prophet.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: APRIL 7, 2016 10:46
A Scottish policeman (file) (photo credit: REUTERS)
A Scottish policeman (file)
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A taxi driver accused of murdering a shopkeeper in Scotland admitted on Wednesday that he killed the man in Glasgow because he was "disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad."
According to UK media reports, 32-year-old Tanveer Ahmed stated that he killed shopkeeper Asad Shah, 40, because he had claimed to be a prophet. 
Following a hearing at the Scottish city's High Court on Wednesday, the taxi driver's lawyer read a statement in which his client made the statements that he had committed the crime due to the perceived sacrilegious offense against Islam.
According to the British Daily Mail, Ahmed denied that the incident was related to Christian or other religions.
"If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying in his statement.
British reports on the attack, which occurred on March 24 -  the day before Good Friday, said the incident had sparked fears that sectarian Islamic violence had spread to the UK. According to British media, the victim was stabbed with a kitchen knife up to 30 times and his head was branded.
The attack occurred just hours after Shah posted an Easter message on Facebook.
"Good Friday and a very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation. Let's follow the real footstep of beloved holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds," Shah, described as a devout Muslim originally from Pakistan, wrote on his Facebook page some four hours before he was murdered.  
Despite his declaration, Ahmed made no plea in court. He remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court again at a later date.


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