Key Takeaways
- British counter-terrorism police are investigating a series of targeted attacks against two Pakistani dissidents living in the UK
- The attacks, which began on Christmas Eve, have involved vandalism, physical assault, and the use of a firearm
- One of the victims, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, is a prominent supporter of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan and has been declared a proclaimed offender by an Islamabad court
- Counter-terrorism officials have warned of an increase in attacks in the UK carried out by criminal proxies acting on behalf of states such as Russia, Iran, and China against critics of their regimes
- The UK’s Foreign Office has been criticized for failing to speak publicly about the attacks
Introduction to the Attacks
British counter-terrorism police are investigating a series of what authorities have described as "highly targeted" attacks against two Pakistani dissidents living in the United Kingdom. The attacks, which began on Christmas Eve, have involved vandalism, physical assault, and the use of a firearm. Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command took over the investigation following four attacks that took place in Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire. One person has been arrested, and the incidents have left the victims fearing for their lives.
The Victims and Their Experiences
One of the victims, Mirza Shahzad Akbar, is a prominent supporter of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. Akbar, a human rights lawyer and former member of Imran’s cabinet, was recently declared a proclaimed offender by an Islamabad court and faces extradition efforts. He told The Guardian that his attackers appeared to be "fair-skinned, white or wearing masks" and that he feared for his life. Akbar described the first attack, which took place on Christmas Eve, in which a masked man punched him repeatedly in the face after asking if he was Shahzad Akbar. He said the attacker appeared "trained" and that his children and wife were "terrorised and screaming" during the incident.
The Investigation and Subsequent Attacks
Following the initial attack, counter-terrorism officers assumed control of the investigation, and Akbar and his family moved out of their home and went into hiding. However, on December 31, Akbar briefly returned to the property, and minutes after he left, a second attack took place. This time, two men were seen on CCTV, with one man firing a gun into the front window and another attempting to start a fire by throwing a burning rag through the window. Neighbours came outside, prompting the attackers to flee. A third attack occurred on January 10, in which one man sprayed chemicals on the outer wall and broke windows with an iron bar before fleeing after alarms were triggered. Police said racist graffiti was also sprayed on the exterior of the house.
The Motivation Behind the Attacks
Akbar believes he was targeted because of his political views, stating that he is a "Pakistani dissident living in exile" and an "open critic of the Pakistani regime." He said he cannot say who carried out the attacks but is certain that they were targeted and that the perpetrators were probably hired by someone. Akbar has been the victim of an unsolved acid attack at his home in 2023 and has expressed fear for his life and the lives of his family members. The attacks have raised concerns about the safety of dissidents and critics of authoritarian regimes living in the UK.
The Wider Context and Implications
The attacks on Akbar and the other Pakistani dissident are part of a broader trend of targeted attacks against critics of authoritarian regimes living in the UK. Counter-terrorism officials have warned of an increase in attacks carried out by criminal proxies acting on behalf of states such as Russia, Iran, and China. This has raised concerns about the ability of these states to operate with impunity in the UK and the failure of the British government to protect its citizens and residents from such attacks. The UK’s Foreign Office has been criticized for failing to speak publicly about the attacks, which has been seen as a lack of commitment to protecting human rights and freedom of speech.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The attacks on Mirza Shahzad Akbar and the other Pakistani dissident are a stark reminder of the risks faced by critics of authoritarian regimes living in the UK. The British government must take a stronger stance in protecting its citizens and residents from such attacks and speaking out against the states that perpetrate them. The failure to do so will only embolden these states and put more lives at risk. It is essential that the UK takes a firm stance in defending human rights and freedom of speech, both at home and abroad, and that it works to prevent such attacks from happening in the future.
