Man extradited from Pakistan over eight murders in 2002 Huddersfield house fire

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A murder suspect has been extradited to the UK from Pakistan to face trial over a 2002 Yorkshire house fire that left eight people dead.

Shahid Mohammed, who was first arrested in the city of Ralwalpindi in January 2015, has been returned to Britain after being held for almost four years in a Pakistani jail.

He is accused of killing five children and three adults from the Chishti family, who died during a firebomb attack on their home in Birkby, Huddersfield more than 16 years ago.

The 36-year-old is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday to be charged with eight counts of murder.

His extradition comes after long negotiations between police, the British Embassy in Islamabad and Pakistani authorities.

“This is a significant development in our investigation,” said detective superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all agencies here in the UK and in Pakistan who have worked tirelessly and supported West Yorkshire Police to ensure that this process has run smoothly to extradite him.

“At the centre of this investigation is the Chishti family, who lost eight members of their family during the fatal house fire and have shown such dignity since the tragedy occurred in 2002.”

Three other men, all from the Huddersfield area, were tried and convicted in connection with the house fire in 2003.