American killer used hijab disguise in attempt to destroy Birmingham family

A US contract killer disguised himself with a hijab before trying to kill a man and his family in Birmingham, a court heard.

Aimee Betro, 44, an assassin from Chicago, was hired by Mohammed Nazir, 30, and his father Mohammed Aslam, 56, to carry out a revenge killing against the owner of a convenience store. clothing and his family.

But Ms Betro’s gun jammed as she tried to shoot Sikander Ali outside a house in Measham Grove, Acocks Green, on September 7, 2019.

Kevin Hegarty KC, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court that Ms Betro, who was wearing a traditional Muslim head covering, was parked in the road in a Mercedes when Mr Ali pulled up in an Audi.

“As he did, the alleged killer came from the driver’s side of the Mercedes,” he said. “When he left the Mercedes, he left the driver’s door open. She walked quite calmly towards Sikander Ali and pointed a gun at him at head height.

“As she approached Sikander Ali, he saw her and saw the gun, and she pulled the trigger to fire the gun at him. Fortunately and luckily for him, the gun jammed.”

The prosecutor said Mr Ali quickly reversed his car to escape and Ms Betro also drove off, abandoning the car nearby, where she was later found by police.

The next morning, he added, Ms Betro took a taxi back to the address and fired three shots in the direction of the house before returning to the waiting taxi. No one was killed in the incident.

She also sent threatening text messages to Ali’s father Aslat Mahamud, the main target of the hit, saying: “Where are you hiding?” and: “Stop playing hide and seek.”

Ms Betro fled back to the US two days later and is believed to be still on the run.

However, the police tracked down Nazir and Aslam and charged them in connection with the failed assassination attempt.

Derby father and son found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Nazir was also convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, illegal importation of firearms and perverting the course of justice.

Jurors were told the pair held a grudge against Mr Ali’s family following a dispute at their clothing store in 2018 which left both conspirators injured.

Bent on revenge, they hired Ms Betro, who flew to Britain on August 22, 16 days before the shooting.

She contacted Mr Mahamud pretending to be interested in buying a car he was selling.

She left the UK on September 9 and, before flying back to America, contacted Virgin Atlantic in an unsuccessful attempt to change flight documents so Nazir could fly back with her.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Aslam and Nazir were determined to take revenge following a fall in which they were injured.

“The lengths they went to to ensure they were not involved in pulling the trigger are immense.

“However, thanks to great police work and the support of our colleagues in Derbyshire, we have been able to place them firmly in the middle of the attempted murder plot.

“We hope that today, after a number of years of unraveling this investigation, justice will be done.

“That no one died as a result of the actions of Aslam and Nazir is nothing but sheer luck.

“Their plan was to kill and if it hadn’t been for the gun embargo, then there’s a good chance this would have been a murder investigation.”

Nazir and Aslam will be sentenced on August 9.