08/01/2008

Asian Teenager's Inquest Begins

A murder that allegedly bears the hallmarks of 'honour killing" is to be investigated at an inquest.

The unsolved death of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed, who vanished from her home in 2003 is to be examined and follows the launch of a murder inquiry after the teenager's badly decomposed body was found by workmen close to the flooded River Kent, at Sedgwick, near Kendal, Cumbria, in February 2004.

The Asian student was last seen at the home in Warrington, Cheshire, she shared with her parents, three sisters and younger brother.

She disappeared four months after a family trip to Pakistan during which the Westernised teenager drank bleach after being introduced to an arranged marriage suitor, prompting speculation she wanted to avoid the traditional wedding.

Lyrics written by the teenager, which were released by police, referred to a clash of cultures and her family's preoccupation with "honour".

The teenager's parents, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed, were arrested on suspicion of her kidnap in December 2003 and later released on police bail.

Five other relatives, believed to be based in Yorkshire, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, were also released on police bail.

No one has been charged with her murder and her parents, who offered a £5,000 reward to catch her killer, have always maintained they had nothing to do with her death.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said Miss Ahmed's parents were expected to attend the inquest, at the County Hall, Kendal.

(BMcC)

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