‘Muslim Allegedly Murdered in Prison’

THE MUSLIM WEEKLY 2004
Shahid Aziz, aged 30 of Dewsbury West Yorkshire died in Armley prison Leeds last Friday while awaiting sentence for criminal damage. He was found with multiple injuries in a cell on A wing of the prison and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, conflicting reports suggest that is where he is thought to have later died of his injuries.

Fellow inmate Peter McCann, 25 of no fixed abode had been on remand for burglary and has now been charged with murdering Shahid. He has been remanded by Leeds magistrates to appear at the city’s crown court.

Resulting from this incident, West Yorkshire Police are conducting an ongoing enquiry in conjunction with the prison service. In addition, an independent investigation is being carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Stephen Shaw.

In a conversation that I had with Shahid’s grief-stricken brother Abid, all he wanted to do at the moment was to reflect on the family’s loss and wait for the legal procedure to take its course, “ We want the authorities to carry out a thorough and independent investigation, I am confident that justice will prevail ”

The Prison Service have forwarded their sympathies to Shahid’s family and friends. Meanwhile, the investigation continues.