Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency reportedly brushed aside warning signs. Reuters
Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency reportedly brushed aside warning signs. Reuters
Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency reportedly brushed aside warning signs. Reuters
Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency reportedly brushed aside warning signs. Reuters

Spy 'traumatised infiltrating extremists in Pakistan' in jail for murdering child


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

A spy who worked for MI6 to infiltrate extremist Taliban and Al Qaeda sites is reportedly in a British jail convicted of the murder of his young child.

The man was sent to Pakistan to infiltrate extremist targets in the years after the 9/11 attacks in the US, The Times reported.

Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency reportedly brushed aside warning signs such as the spy's high levels of emotional instability and sent him on missions that left him traumatised for life.

The UK Government has not confirmed or denied the allegations.

The man, identified as Abdi, is a British citizen in his twenties who was reportedly abused as a child and suffered a mental breakdown. He also had a criminal record.

In Pakistan, the paper reported, he buried bodies and witnessed the beheading of a family. including a boy, who were suspected of being spies.

On his return to Britain, he suffered violent outbursts and flashbacks. Eventually, he killed his child, Noor, whose body revealed multiple injuries. Abdi was arrested and taken into custody.

He rejected a charge of murder and said he was suffering a psychotic breakdown. A jury convicted him after a trial that was largely held in secret.

Abdi was an “incredibly vulnerable man” who was “used” by MI5 and MI6, his lawyer said. He now plans to appeal against the conviction after new medical reports came to light.

Abdi first became known to MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, when he told them an associate wanted to kill a VIP.

MI5 sent him on infiltration missions in the UK to mosques and eventually he was passed to MI6 for the international missions, The Times reported.

Abdi was born in England to Pakistani parents and one of a large group of siblings. He considered himself English.

A UK Government spokesman said: “It is a long-standing principle that the government does not confirm or deny allegations, assertions or speculation about the activities of UK intelligence agencies.”

Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

MATCH INFO

Jersey 147 (20 overs) 

UAE 112 (19.2 overs)

Jersey win by 35 runs

Company%20profile
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Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Updated: April 23, 2023, 4:08 AM