ISLAMABAD/LONDON: A 21-year-old Afghan person previously convicted of killing two citizens in Serbia has been sentenced for life in prison in the United Kingdom (UK) for a separate murder.
Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, who arrived in the UK seeking asylum in 2019, could serve a minimum of 29 years behind bars for killing Thomas Roberts, outside e Subway takeaway in Bournemouth, Dorset, in March previous year.
Robert attempted to act as a “peacemaker” after his friend got into the argument with Abdulrahimzai over the e-scooter outside the sandwich shop. After Roberts slapped him during the 24-second confrontation, Lawangeen pulled out the knife concealed between two pairs of trousers he was wearing and stabbed Roberts twice.
He fled into nearby woods, buried a knife, and burned his trousers, jacket, and the Afghanistan flag he was wearing as the scarf, Salisbury Crown Court heard.
“In seconds, you took a life of a thoroughly decent man with a bright future who was loved greatly by several people,” Judge Paul Dugdale told Lawangeen as he handed down a life sentence.
Your momentary act of extreme, senseless violence has left the family with a tragic loss that they could feel for the rest of their lives.”
Before coming to United Kingdom
Abdulrahimzai said he fled Afghanistan after he has tortured by the Taliban and his parents were killed. Before coming to the United Kingdom, he lived in Serbia for a time, where he shot dead two citizens in 2018. Abdulrahimzai was convicted of double murder in his absence and sentenced to twenty years in jail.
British authority was unaware of this violent history and Abdulrahimzai fooled officials into believing he was only 14 years old, about 6 years younger than he really was. Abdulrahimzai was placed in foster care, where one of his guardians noticed he was carrying a knife.
The Home Office said it could investigate the case and the “red flags” that were missed.
A spokesman said that “Foreign national offenders who exploit our system and commit crimes here in the UK could face the full force of the law, including deportation at the earliest opportunity for those eligible,”. “The UK government is committed to stopping abuse of the immigration system, taking decisive action against those who try to play a system.”
