The mother of Fawziyah Javed, a pregnant lawyer who was pushed to her death from Arthur's Seat, has spoken of her fear as the "evil" killer plans to appeal his conviction.
Yasmin Javed, the victim's mother, said the man will "never stop fighting for his release". It's been just two months since Kashif Anwar was convicted for the murder of his wife.
Anwar was told he'd have to serve at least 20 years in jail, after taking the life of Fawziyah on their "mini-moon" just nine months after they were married. He's been granted an extension to lodge grounds for a bid to overturn the conviction.
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Yasmin believes “cruel and manipulative” Anwar will never accept his punishment. She told the Record: “I think he will keep fighting it. He showed no remorse whatsoever so going on that and on the type of person he is, I think he will keep fighting.
“He’s so cruel and evil. He didn’t even give a second thought of what he would do to us when he killed Fawziyah. He obviously still doesn’t.”
Fawziyah, from Leeds, was two days away from leaving violent Anwar, 29, when he shoved her to her death. The mum-to-be had carefully plotted an escape plan but was unable to carry it out before Anwar killed her.
The measures the brave employment lawyer took helped secure Anwar’s conviction at the High Court in Edinburgh and expose his web of lies and history of abuse. Fawziyah, who was 17 weeks pregnant, had previously lodged reports with police on the abuse she suffered.
She managed to identify her husband as her attacker as she lay dying, having suffered multiple blunt force injuries plunging 50ft from the hill in September 2021. Mum Yasmin has spoken of the abuse her daughter suffered, saying Anwar’s motives for murdering her stemmed from honour-based control, jealousy, and insecurity because he would not allow her a divorce.
Secret recordings Fawziyah made before her death reveal her husband telling her: “Don’t challenge me, do not be that British woman.”
In another Fawziyah is heard saying: “You’ve ruined my life,” to which Anwar replies: “I’ll tell you one thing – you end this and I will ruin yours.”
Grieving Yasmin said: “Anyone listening to those recordings will know without a shadow of doubt what’s happened here.
“I think people need to be made aware of this type of crime. I would hate for anyone else to go through this. Fawziyah’s death has deeply affected people all over the world. I’ve had calls from Dubai, New York, Pakistan, Spain.
“It went worldwide because she was a young, innocent defenceless pregnant girl and her death was so horrific. People can’t comprehend that someone would stoop so low.
“Nobody deserved this. Least if all someone like Fawziyah, without a bad bone in their body. That wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“It still doesn’t feel real.”
Scottish Court and Tribunal Service officials confirmed that Anwar had lodged an intention to appeal and been granted an extension until next week.
