Husband Receives Life Sentence for Brutal Murder of Wife
Alireza Askari, a 42-year-old man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years for the murder of his wife, Paria Veisi, aged 37. The horrific crime unfolded after Veisi left Askari, leading him to stab her four times and hide her body under a flower bed in their former garden.
Deception and Concealment After the Murder
Following the murder, Askari engaged in a series of deceptive acts to cover up his crime. He informed Veisi's employer that she had left the country and moved her car to create the illusion that she was still alive. Additionally, he used her phone to send text messages to the salon where she worked, falsely claiming she had returned to her native Iran.
Veisi's body was discovered buried under patio slabs, soil, and freshly planted flowers. A post-mortem examination revealed she suffered stab wounds to her chest and neck. The court heard that Veisi had moved into her own flat just two weeks before the murder, seeking a new life free from Askari.
Arrest and Evidence Uncovered
Askari was arrested on April 15 last year as he drove from Birmingham back to Cardiff, where the couple had previously lived. His arrest came after a concerned friend reported Veisi missing, expressing fears that she might be "being kept against her will by her ex-husband."
During the arrest, police found cannisters containing caustic soda in Askari's car. Prosecutors stated that these chemicals were intended for use in destroying Veisi's remains. Further investigation of Askari's text messages revealed he had been communicating with another woman, believed to be his girlfriend.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Justice Stacey condemned Askari's actions, noting that he would "clearly rather kill her than (she) leave him." The judge emphasized that Veisi was "just starting a new life free of you" when she was murdered, describing her as a "strong, confident, attractive woman" with a bright future ahead.
Friends and family remembered Veisi for her vibrant personality, kindness, and popularity, highlighting that she was in the prime of her life at just 37 years old. Askari pleaded guilty to murder and received a life sentence.
Additional Conviction for Perverting Justice
In a related case, Askari's aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, of White City Estate in west London, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. She traveled from London to Cardiff in a taxi to assist in covering up the murder and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.
This tragic case underscores the severe consequences of domestic violence and the lengths to which perpetrators may go to conceal their crimes. The community mourns the loss of Paria Veisi, whose life was cut short as she sought independence and a fresh start.
