The man accused of murdering Asad Shah, the Glasgow shopkeeper who was killed by a Muslim for posting an Easter message has issued a statement saying he carried out the killing because he believed Shah had “disrespected” Islam.
Tanveer Ahmed, 32, from Bradford, is accused of killing Shah outside his shop in Glasgow.
Ahmed denied the incident had anything to do with Christianity.
He claimed Shah had “disrespected” Islam by claiming to be a prophet.
The statement was made through Ahmed's lawyer, John Rafferty.
“If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world. I wish to make it clear that the incident was nothing at all to do with Christianity or any other religious beliefs even although I am a follower of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him I also love and respect Jesus Christ.”
Shah was an Ahmadi Muslim, who had moved from Pakistan to Glasgow almost 20 years ago. He was found with serious injuries outside his shop on Minard Road in Shawlands on 24 March. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
