Man who pushed pregnant wife off Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh jailed for life
Kashif Anwar was found guilty of murdering Fawziyah Javed, 31, by pushing her from the hill, causing her multiple blunt force injuries and ultimately her death and that of her unborn child.
Thursday 6 April 2023 18:34, UK
A man who pushed his pregnant wife off Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh days before she was set to leave him has been jailed for at least 20 years.
Kashif Anwar, 29, was found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh of murdering Fawziyah Javed, 31, in September 2021 by pushing her from the hill, causing her multiple blunt force injuries and ultimately her death and that of her unborn child.
He denied the charge, but a jury found him responsible after a week-long trial.
Ms Javed, who was around 17 weeks pregnant when she was pushed, used her dying words to reveal it was her abusive husband who caused her to fall around 50ft down the hillside.
Daniyah Rafique, 24, reached the dying employment lawyer on the side of the landmark, where she was told: "Don't let my husband near me, he pushed me."
The court heard PC Rhiannon Clutton, 35, was told by Ms Javed her husband pushed her because she "told him I wanted to end [the marriage]".
Detective Inspector Bob Williamson from Scotland Police said: "This has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic time for Fawziyah's family who are understandably devastated by her death.
"Fawziyah was much loved and had her life ahead of her with a new baby on the way.
"This was all cruelly taken from her and her unborn child at the hands of her own husband - someone who should have loved and protected her.
"Anwar's actions were incomprehensible and as an investigation team, we welcome today's verdict.
"I sincerely hope that the fact that he has now been found guilty will afford Fawziyah's family and friends some sense of justice."
Judge Lord Beckett imposed a mandatory life sentence on Anwar with an imprisonment period of a minimum of 20 years.