MAN JAILED FOR 26 YEARS FOR EX-WIFE’S MURDER AND BURIAL IN CARDIFF GARDEN
A man received a minimum sentence of 26 years after being convicted of the deliberate murder of his former wife and burying her body in his garden.Alireza Askari, aged 42, confessed to killing 37-year-old Paria Veisi at their former residence in Penylan, Cardiff, in April of the previous year.
The court was informed that Veisi had separated from Askari and moved out earlier that month.
Authorities discovered her remains buried in an improvised grave in the backyard, hidden beneath patio slabs, soil, and newly planted flowers.
Justice Stacey sentenced Askari to life imprisonment on Friday, specifying a minimum term of 26 years for the premeditated murder.
Prosecutor William Hughes KC stated that Askari carried out the killing in the house's conservatory around 4.30 pm on 12 April, and then, with the assistance of his aunt Maryam Delavary, 48, attempted to erase evidence.
The court heard that Askari and Veisi, who moved to the UK from Iran in 2010 after marrying, were living separately at the time of her death.
Analysis of Askari’s mobile phone revealed he had been messaging a woman in Iran, believed to be his girlfriend, prior to the crime.
One message indicated plans involving her killing Veisi in Iran.
On the day the murder was committed, Askari bought kitchen knives, suspected to be the murder weapon, from a supermarket before returning home.
After Burying Veisi, Askari contacted Delavary in London and then went shopping again, purchasing bleach, compost, and plants.
Delavary subsequently traveled to Cardiff by taxi to assist in hiding Veisi’s body, according to the prosecution.
The day after the murder, a friend of Veisi contacted South Wales Police, expressing concern that she was being held against her will by her ex-husband, prompting a missing person's investigation.
Askari was detained on 15 April while traveling from Birmingham to Cardiff; authorities found canisters with caustic soda in his vehicle.
Prosecutors said these chemicals were intended to be used to destroy Veisi's remains.
During a search of the property, Veisi’s body was recovered, displaying four stab wounds and injuries to the chest and neck.
Addressing Askari in court, Justice Stacey remarked that Veisi was in her prime and that her death had shattered her family’s happiness.
The judge highlighted that Veisi had suffered abuse and had expressed fears to friends about Askari.
He accused Askari of orchestrating the murder because Veisi had sought a divorce, describing the act as hypocritical and motivated by his desire to be with his girlfriend in Iran while wanting Veisi out of the way.
Askari, from Penylan, Cardiff, admitted to the charges of murder and preventing lawful burial.
An additional charge of causing actual bodily harm through assault was left on file.
Delavary of White City estate, west London, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
