A man who helped his family kill his six-months-pregnant wife after they decided she was possessed by an evil spirit has been released from prison.
Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz received a life sentence in 2012 for the murder of 21-year-old Naila Mumtaz, who was killed on July 8, 2009, at the Birmingham home she shared with his parents.
Naila had arrived in Britain from Pakistan in 2008 after an arranged marriage and moved into the family property in Handsworth Wood.
She spoke very little English, was separated from her relatives by thousands of miles and was pregnant with the couple’s first child when she died.
Her family remembered her as a “happy, confident and beautiful” young woman who had been excited about becoming a mother.
Mumtaz, who was 25 at the time, was convicted alongside his parents, Zia Ul-Haq and Salma Aslam, and his brother-in-law Hammad Hassan. The convictions followed a 12-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
He was ordered to serve a minimum of 13 years in prison and was released last year after the Parole Board recommended that he be freed.
Naila Mumtaz, 21, (pictured) was smothered to death before paramedics discovered her lifeless body at the Birmingham home she shared with her husband and his family
Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz (left) and his parents, Zia Ul-Haq (centre) and Salma Aslam (right), both 51, were jailed in 2012
Paramedics found the lifeless body of the pregnant 21-year-old in a bedroom at the family home on Craythorne Avenue, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, during the early hours of July 8, 2009
Mumtaz told the court that Naila had acted as if she were possessed by a jinn, a supernatural spirit referenced in Islamic and Middle Eastern folklore, before her death.
He claimed she had attempted to strangle herself after becoming “possessed” and had suffocated herself by placing her hand inside her mouth.
Mumtaz described her death as “more like a suicide” and said he had also experienced what he believed was possession by a jinn in the past.
However, medical evidence established that Naila died from asphyxia and could not have inflicted the fatal injuries on herself.
The prosecution argued that Naila had been intentionally smothered, with one or more family members suffocating her while the others helped hold her down.
In a statement after the murder, her relatives said: “She came to Britain to be with her husband; we entrusted our most treasured, beloved only daughter to him and his family.”
They said Naila was nearly six months pregnant with her unborn son when she was killed in her own home, ending her hopes, dreams and future opportunities.
Mr Justice Keith said the circumstances surrounding Naila’s death made the crime particularly serious.
He told the four defendants: “What aggravates the case is that Naila was pregnant at the time of her death, isolated from her family in a country unfamiliar to her, and spoke little if any English.”
Mumtaz, his parents and Hassan had all denied murder and manslaughter, but each was convicted of murder.
One explanation put forward at trial was that the family believed a harmful jinn had been sent by Naila’s parents in Pakistan.
Mr Justice Keith said they may have ‘smothered her in order to get rid of the djinn’.
He said that was ‘a less unlikely explanation for what happened’ than another theory raised in court that members of the family suspected Mumtaz was not the father of her unborn baby.
The judge said it was impossible to establish exactly what had prompted the attack.
But the verdicts meant the jury was sure one or more of the four had deliberately smothered Naila while the others took part in restraining her.
Mr Justice Keith told them: ‘The four of you have been convicted of the murder of Naila Mumtaz – she was only 21 years old at the time of her death and had her life ahead of her.’
He added: ‘She was her parents’ only daughter and her death has left a terrible gap in their lives.’
Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 13 years
His parents, Zia Ul-Haq (left) and Salma Aslam (right) were each ordered to serve at least 15 years
Hammad Hassan was also imprisoned for at least 13 years
The judge accepted they had not intended to kill Naila but said they must have realised their actions could cause really serious harm.
Mumtaz was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 13 years.
Hassan, who was 24, received the same minimum term, while Ul-Haq and Aslam, both 51, were each ordered to serve at least 15 years.
Mumtaz has a severe physical disability and the judge urged prison authorities to house him with his father so that he could be properly supported.
After being handed his life sentence, Mumtaz had to be carried out of the dock by his father.
Detective Inspector Simon Astle, of West Midlands Police, said at the time: ‘This was a tragic and deeply upsetting case, where a young woman had her life so horrifically ended by those she loved and trusted.’
As a life prisoner, he remains on licence and can be recalled to prison if he breaches its conditions.
A spokesman for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mohammed Mumtaz following an oral hearing.
‘Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
‘The panel carefully examined a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as exploring the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
‘Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
‘Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
‘It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.
‘Parole reviews are always undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘This was an atrocious crime and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Naila Mumtaz.’
They warned Mumtaz can be recalled if he breaches his licence conditions.