Four Jailed Over Brutal East Ham Murder of Anselam Senaj
Four men have been locked up for the savage stabbing of 26-year-old Anselam Senaj in East Ham, east London. The victim was fatally stabbed in a car on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
The sentencing was handed down today at the Old Bailey, following a meticulous Metropolitan Police probe that included the extradition of one suspect from the Netherlands.
Sentences Announced at Old Bailey
- Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, from Walton Road, Manor Park, was jailed for life with a minimum of 26 years for murder and knife possession.
- Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, of Jack Cornwell Street, Manor Park, also received life with a minimum of 25 years for murder and knife possession.
- Ibrahim Naim, 18, from Clacton Road, East Ham, got 10.5 years for manslaughter.
- Zain Ali, 22, of Poulett Road, East Ham, was sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter.
Cold-Blooded Attack Shocked East London
“Anselam Senaj was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene. Our team conducted a thorough and detailed investigation which led to the arrest of three of the suspects within two weeks of the attack.
We’d like to thank our partner agencies who helped ensure the arrest of the final suspect, and bring the case to trial to secure justice for Anselam.
Our thoughts remain with Anselam’s friends and family as they move forward with their lives, safe in the knowledge his attackers are behind bars where they belong.”
– Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, lead investigator
How the Attack Unfolded & Manhunt
During a 14-week trial, the court heard Anselam was ambushed while riding in the back of a taxi. At the junction of Victoria Avenue and Grangewood Street, thugs used a stolen car to block the cab before launching the fatal stabbing.
Despite swift emergency response, Anselam was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Met’s Specialist Crime Command swiftly executed warrants on 22 November 2023, arresting Miah, Ali, and Naim that same night. Forensic evidence and phone data linked all four men to drug dealing and the deadly assault.
Key suspect Muhammad Saqib Khan fled to Amsterdam but was tracked down by the Met and Dutch police. He was arrested on 4 December 2023 and extradited back to the UK by 12 January 2024.
Justice Served for Anselam Senaj
On Monday, 13 January 2025, Khan and Miah were convicted of murder, while Naim and Ali were found guilty of manslaughter. Today’s sentencing closes a complex investigation that brought four violent offenders to justice, providing some relief to a shocked East London community.
If you have any worries about crime in your area, contact the Metropolitan Police on 101 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
