In a harrowing case from East London, Aminan Rahman has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife, Suma Begum.
This chilling crime unfolded in the couple’s flat, where Rahman, 46, killed 24-year-old Begum while on a video call with her lover, Shahin Miah, 24.
During the video call, Rahman could be seen shouting at Miah, blaming him for the tragedy.
As Begum lay lifeless on the floor, Rahman, with their two-year-old son and four-month-old daughter present, crammed her body into a suitcase and discarded it in the River Lea. Her body was discovered ten days later by a mudlarker on the banks of the Thames.
The Children’s Trauma
The children, especially their young son, were left profoundly affected by the incident. The boy, who had witnessed his mother’s death, initially thought it was a game and even hid under a blanket with her body.
Rahman’s actions left deep psychological scars on the child, who now struggles with fear and has shown troubling behavior, including a fear of Asian men and disturbing actions with toys.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
In court, Mr. Justice Bennathan sentenced Rahman to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.
The judge described Begum as a vibrant and loving mother whose dreams were abruptly ended by Rahman’s deliberate actions.
The judge condemned Rahman for the brutal and callous way he treated his wife and their children.
Family’s Pain and Public Reactions
In a moving victim impact statement, Begum’s half-brother Abdul Amin spoke of the dramatic change in Suma’s life after her move to the UK.
He revealed that Suma had planned to escape her abusive marriage but was silenced by Rahman’s threats.
Amin criticized the harmful comments on social media blaming Suma for her death, emphasizing that no one deserves such a fate.
Suma Begum had relocated to the UK in 2020 following an arranged marriage with Rahman, whom she had married over the phone.
Despite Rahman’s denials, he was found guilty of murder and assault, with the court learning of his control and manipulation over Begum.
Rahman admitted to disposing of Begum’s body but claimed it was an accident triggered by a panic attack.
Investigation and Arrest
Following the murder, Rahman attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Bournemouth.
Despite initially deceiving a social worker about buying lollipops for his children, Rahman was eventually arrested in Whitechapel. The investigation revealed a scarf tightly bound around Begum’s neck, confirming ligature compression as the cause of death.
Conclusion
The prosecution argued that Rahman’s actions, driven by jealousy and rage, demonstrated a clear intention to kill.
Rahman’s trial, with support from a Sylheti interpreter, concluded with his conviction for murder and assault.
His barrister, Mark Borrelli, KC, acknowledged Rahman’s claim of ‘genuine love’ for Begum, though it was overshadowed by his horrific actions that have forever altered the lives of his children.