Man accused of shopkeeper murder claims responsibility
Tanveer Ahmed has issued a statement saying he carried out the killing because Asad Shah claimed to be a Prophet
A man accused of murdering a Glasgow shopkeeper has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the killing.
32 year old Tanveer Ahmed said he had done it because Asad Shah claimed to be a Prophet.
But, he denied that the incident had anything to do with Christianity or any other religion.
This highly unusual statement was made through his lawyer, John Rafferty, after Ahmed’s second appearance at court before sheriff Brian Adair.
Ahmed made no plea during private court appearance, charged with Mr Shah’s murder.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the High Court at a later date.
The statement given is: “My client Mr Tanveer Ahmed has specifically instructed me that today, 6 April 2016, to issue this statement to the press, the statement is in the words of my client.
“This all happened for one reason and no other issues and no other intentions.
“Asad Shah disrespected the messenger of Islam the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Mr Shah claimed to be a Prophet.
“When 1400 years ago the Prophet of Islam Muhammad peace be upon him has clearly said that ‘I am the final messenger of Allah there is no more profits or messengers from God Allah after me.
‘I am leaving you the final Quran. There is no changes. It is the final book of Allah and this is the final completion of Islam’.
‘There is no more changes to it and no one has the right to claim to be a Prophet or to change the Quran or change Islam.’
“It is mentioned in the Quran that there is no doubt in this book no one has the right to disrespect the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and no one has the right to disrespect the Prophet of Islam Muhammad Peace be upon him.
“If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world.
“I wish to make it clear that the incident was nothing at all to do with Christianity or any other religious beliefs even although I am a follower of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him I also love and respect Jesus Christ.”
Mr Shah, 40, was found with serious injuries outside his shop on the evening of March 24, after being allegedly attacked outside his shop Shah's Newsagents and Convenience Store in Minard Road, Shawlands, Glasgow.
He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A silent vigil was held outside his shop attended by hundreds of people including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
A fundraising page on GoFundMe has raised more than £110, 000 for Mr Shah's family