It has been heard that Shafilea Ahmed, a Cheshire schoolgirl
who went missing in 2003, was killed by her parents. Shafilea’s body remains
were later found in Cumbria, February 2004. But it wasn’t until 2010 that the sister
of the victim, Alesha Ahmed, confirmed to witnessing this brutal murder. Alesha
was aged 15 at the time and managed to keep it a secret for seven years.
Parents, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed, suffocated their daughter, Shafilea, at
the age 17.
While explaining to the court what she witnessed, Alesha
broke down in tears remembering the horrific events.
"You could tell she was gasping for air.”
When she was asked what happened next she responded: “That
was it, she was gone.”
She said: "They carried on with their hands still on
her mouth, even when she had stopped struggling."
Later, the court found out that Shafilea drank
bleach, in fear of being left in Pakistan. Early in 2003 the family took a trip
back home, to discuss on Shafilea’s marriage proposals and whether she should
be allowed to go back to the UK. After Shafilea heard their conversation about
her not being able to go home, she took the courage to drink bleach. After a
while, the family members heard a scream and headed to the source. There they
saw Shafilea clutching her stomach, a bottle lying on the floor with the lid
off. Everyone panicked but her Nan was the one who told one of the uncles to go and call for help. When asked what Farzana’s reaction to
this was, Alesha replied: “she had a distinct look on her face. It was like she
was thinking its better she had done it herself."
After Shafilea arrived in hospital, her mother was angry as
she made a ‘scene.’ According to her mother, Shafilea had brought shame to the
family, and was also told to tell people that she was drinking mouthwash but in
the dark mistook it for bleach.
When the sisters were alone Alesha inquired Shafilea on why
she drank bleach.
"I remember
saying to Shafilea that I couldn't believe she had drank bleach and that she
had done that to herself. She said ‘What else was I supposed to do?’."
This event caused
damage to her throat, resulting in her not being able to eat properly for
several months. After Shafilea returned to the UK, her condition wasn’t
improving and eventually was admitted into Warrington hospital for three
months.
The couple deny
the charges allegedly murdering their 17 year old daughter.
By Nazifa Muhamood
