Plot to Murder Outspoken Figure Foiled by Vigilant Border Officers
The victim, targeted for his high-profile and outspoken political views, narrowly escaped a brutal hit job. Detectives uncovered chilling details about the man hired to carry out the murder.
Hitman Offered £80,000 for Killing
Mohammed Khan, working in a supermarket at the time, was caught plotting to murder the victim for a hefty payday of up to £80,000. On Friday 28 January, a jury found Khan guilty of conspiracy to murder. He was jailed today (Friday 11 March) at Kingston Crown Court, sentenced to life with a minimum of 13 years behind bars.
Commander Richard Smith, Met’s Counter Terrorism Command: “Thanks to the dedication of counter-terrorism officers, Border Force, and our Dutch colleagues, justice has been served in this chilling case. Khan’s greed blinded him to the human cost. We stopped a killer in his tracks through close international cooperation.”
Border Force Stop Showed Khan’s True Colours
Khan travelled from London to Paris and then Rotterdam in June 2021, looking for the victim. Dutch Border Officers grew suspicious of his nervous behaviour. Their alert led UK Border Force at St Pancras to stop and question him on arrival.
When Khan refused to hand over his phone’s PIN—a legal requirement under the Terrorism Act—he was arrested. Examination of his phone uncovered thousands of WhatsApp messages plotting the murder, starting from 17 February 2021. Khan and a mysterious figure known as ‘Mudz’ hammered out details of the killing, including payment, travel plans, and descriptions of the target.
Ongoing Hunt for ‘Mudz’ – Khan’s Mastermind
Detectives believe ‘Mudz’ may be Khan’s former business associate, possibly named Muzzamil. The investigation is ongoing, and the police urge anyone with information to call 0800 789 321 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
From SO15 interviews: Khan claimed he never intended to kill, saying he joined ‘the project’ for money from ‘Mudz’ and didn’t know who the victim was. But evidence told a different story.
Two days after his initial arrest, police raided Khan’s home and re-arrested him. He was formally charged on 28 June 2021 with conspiracy to murder under the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Khan, 31, of Sprowston Road, E7, now faces at least 13 years behind bars for his deadly plot.
