SHAFILEA TRIAL: Shafilea's mother says she did not kill her daughter (From Warrington Guardian)

Latest from Shafilea Ahmed Warrington murder trial in Chester Crown Court

2:10pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in News

THE mother of Shafilea Ahmed has told a court she did not murder her daughter.

Farzana Ahmed stands accused, along with husband Iftikhar, of suffocating the Shafilea on September 11 2003.

At Chester Crown Court this afternoon she was asked by her barrister, Mushtak Hussain: "Did you kill Shafilea, your daughter?"

Speaking through an interpreter she replied: "No."

"Did you play any part in her killing," said Mr Hussain.

"No," said Farzana.

The 49-year-old told the court that when Shafilea ran away in early 2003 it was because she feared an arranged marriage.

But Farzana said that no such marriage was planned and that she reassured her daughter.

The housewife said that one trip to Pakistan was cancelled because the 17-year-old ran away and that Iftikhar, aged 52, rearranged the 'family holiday'.

The court heard that Shafilea, Alesha and Junyd were only given hours notice that they would be leaving the country for weeks.

Alesha has previously given evidence to say that her sister was drugged before boarding the plane after being given a spiked drink at the family home in Great Sankey.

Farzana said that no such drink had been given.

She also described how on one occasion Iftikhar hit Shafilea twice because she was on the phone to a boy and refused to say who it was.

Her evidence will continue tomorrow after she dramatically changed her story last week.

Both parents deny murder.

The trial continues.