Afghan refugee Sulaiman Tajzai pleads guilty to murdering Farmanullah Sherzad in London.
The couple had previously made complaints to police about him, and he was arrested in October 2025 after officers found him at their Leeds home with his wrists tied. Police were called to Abbey Orchard Street shortly before 10.15pm. He was arrested at his cousin’s home in Leeds on March 29.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article and is due to be sentenced on September 18, The Independent reported.
Sherzad told police he was in a relationship with the woman and had travelled to Leeds after she invited him through Snapchat. He was later released, and the couple made further contact with police before being told there would be “no further action” against him. Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC told the court that Sherzad ran “screaming for his life” as Tajzai repeatedly stabbed him.
Sherzad had been involved in a dispute with Tajzai’s cousin and his wife. Sherzad died at the scene from multiple stab wounds. Police searching the property recovered several items belonging to him, including a pair of blood-stained trainers.
Sulaiman Tajzai admitted killing Farmanullah Sherzad at the Old Bailey on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said.
“No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in such circumstances,” Jolley said.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, described the killing as a “brutal and senseless act of violence”.