Muhammad Gohir Khan
(Picture: Met Police)A former east London businessman has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder after an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terror Command.
Officers found more than 2,000 WhatsApp messages between Muhammad Gohir Khan and his co-conspirator planning the contract killing of a Rotterdam based Pakistani blogger and activist.
It is thought the victim was targeted due to his public profile and outspoken political views.
Khan, who believed he would get up to £80,000 for carrying out the killing, was found guilty by a unanimous verdict.
Commander Richard Smith from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “I commend the Counter-terrorism officers and Border Force colleagues whose vigilance and close cooperation initiated this investigation, which subsequently revealed a chilling conspiracy to murder.
“Khan fell foul of his own low cunning and artifice, and the investigation found he was willing to carry out a murder for financial gain, giving no regard for his intended victim.
“We were able to stop Khan from carrying out this murderous plot through cooperation with UK Border Force and our Dutch colleagues in the Rotterdam Counter Terrorism, Extremism and Radicalization (CTER) Unit who worked tirelessly alongside their SO15 counterparts throughout the investigation.
“Borders Officers at Rotterdam initially raised concerns over Khan as he was travelling back to the UK and following his arrest, and thanks to this vigilance and cooperation, our officers launched an investigation and were able to reveal his true intentions.”
Khan told police he never intended to carry out the killing and said he had no idea who the victim was.
He said he only got involved to get money from an individual called ‘Mudz’ and detectives found thousands of messages between Khan and ‘Mudz’ - also referred to as ‘Ali’ ‘Zed’ and ‘Papa’ - detailing plans for the murder.
They talked about the price of the killing to be paid on successful completion, the terms of the agreement, travelling to Rotterdam, where the victim might be found and what he looked like.
Khan, 31, of Forest Gate, left London via Eurostar on June 17 and arrived in Paris before catching a bus to Rotterdam where he stayed for a few days before heading home having failed to find his victim.
He was arrested on his arrival back at St Pancras International on June 23 and will be sentenced on March 11 while the police search for his accomplice continues.
Officers think he may be a former business associate of Khan and goes by the name of ‘Muzzamil’. Anyone with information can call officers confidentially on 800 789 321 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
