Aug 12, 2025 08:55 PM
(This post was last modified: Aug 12, 2025 08:56 PM by C C.)
US hitwoman who flew to UK found guilty of niqab disguise murder plot
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/cr...06135.html
INTRO: A would-be assassin who travelled from the US to shoot a man in Birmingham has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Birmingham Crown Court previously heard that US citizen Aimee Betro, 45, became embroiled in a plot to attack a rival family of Mohammed Nazir and his father, Mohammed Aslam.
She disguised herself with a niqab before pointing a handgun at Sikander Ali in a Birmingham cul-de-sac on 7 September 2019. However, the gun jammed, allowing Mr Ali to escape in his car.
Betro appeared in the court on Tuesday wearing a purple T-shirt and with her hair in space buns. She showed no obvious reaction and stared towards the jury bench as the verdicts were returned.
She was found guilty by majority 11-verdicts on charges of conspiracy to murder and possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence. She was found guilty by a unanimous verdict on a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. Jurors deliberated for almost 21 hours before handing down the verdicts.
Betro, who is originally from West Allis in Wisconsin but spent several years in Armenia before her arrest in January, will be sentenced on 21 August.
Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said he was not asking for pre-sentence reports as they would not assist the court. Judge Simon Drew KC told the court: “I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting.”
Betro also showed no emotion as she was remanded in custody and led away to the cells... (MORE - details)
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/cr...06135.html
INTRO: A would-be assassin who travelled from the US to shoot a man in Birmingham has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Birmingham Crown Court previously heard that US citizen Aimee Betro, 45, became embroiled in a plot to attack a rival family of Mohammed Nazir and his father, Mohammed Aslam.
She disguised herself with a niqab before pointing a handgun at Sikander Ali in a Birmingham cul-de-sac on 7 September 2019. However, the gun jammed, allowing Mr Ali to escape in his car.
Betro appeared in the court on Tuesday wearing a purple T-shirt and with her hair in space buns. She showed no obvious reaction and stared towards the jury bench as the verdicts were returned.
She was found guilty by majority 11-verdicts on charges of conspiracy to murder and possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence. She was found guilty by a unanimous verdict on a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition. Jurors deliberated for almost 21 hours before handing down the verdicts.
Betro, who is originally from West Allis in Wisconsin but spent several years in Armenia before her arrest in January, will be sentenced on 21 August.
Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said he was not asking for pre-sentence reports as they would not assist the court. Judge Simon Drew KC told the court: “I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting.”
Betro also showed no emotion as she was remanded in custody and led away to the cells... (MORE - details)