A man has been handed a 26-year prison term for murdering his ex-wife by stabbing her to death and burying her in his backyard. Alireza Askari killed his estranged wife Paria Veisi shortly after she terminated their relationship, according to court proceedings.
The body of Ms. Veisi, aged 37, was found in a makeshift grave in Askari’s Cardiff residence after he fatally stabbed her in the neck and upper chest. The discovery was made after concerned family members reported her missing, leading to the grim revelation four days after her disappearance.
Initially, Askari, 42, admitted to manslaughter and improper burial of a body but later confessed to the murder. His aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, pleaded guilty to obstructing justice by assisting Askari in concealing evidence after the crime.
Delavary was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, with a deduction for time served on remand. The pair buried Ms. Veisi in a garden area previously occupied by a pond, camouflaging the site with soil, flowers, and concrete slabs.
During the murder, witnesses heard a scream resembling a scene from a horror movie as Ms. Veisi was attacked with a kitchen knife. The prosecution highlighted the absence of defensive wounds on her body, indicating she was taken by surprise.
Askari’s lawyer cited mental health issues as a contributing factor in the crime, but the judge challenged this assertion, pointing to the motive behind the attack. Ms. Veisi had recently moved out, prompting Askari’s violent reaction rather than accepting the separation.
The judge also scrutinized Delavary’s claims of past abuse, noting inconsistencies in her statements and behavior. Delavary was portrayed as actively aiding Askari in covering up the crime and misleading others about Ms. Veisi’s whereabouts.
Askari received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years, while Delavary was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. Both will serve a proportion of their sentence in custody, with Delavary’s term adjusted for time served.