Man arrested in Pakistan in connection with murder of Pc Sharon Beshenivsky

15 January 2020, 14:19

A man has been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the 2005 murder of Pc Sharon Beshenivksy in Bradford.

Piran Ditta Khan, 71, was arrested in on Tuesday in Pakistan, West Yorkshire Police said.

The force said he appeared at court in Islamabad on Wednesday where his extradition was discussed.

He was remanded in custody to next appear at court on January 29.

Detective Superintendent Mark Swift said: "I would like to thank the National Crime Agency officers in Pakistan and partners who have made this arrest possible.

"This is a major development in this long-running investigation and their assistance in this matter cannot be understated.

"We are continuing to liaise with partners in Pakistan to process Khan's extradition with the intention of returning him to the UK to face court proceedings."

PC Beshenivsky's husband Paul said he was "glad" to hear about the arrest.

He said: "It's been a long time coming. It's just a matter of getting closure within what happened in 2005."

Pc Beshenivsky, 38, had only been an officer for nine months when she was shot and killed whilst on duty.

Her shift partner, PC Teresa Milburn, was also shot but survived.

Brian Booth, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "I know my colleagues within West Yorkshire are delighted to hear about the arrest of Piran Dhitta Khan and will now be watching closely the wheels of justice turning in this case and how this plays out.

"The murder of Sharon and the attempted murder of her colleague PC Teresa Milburn sent a shockwave not only through West Yorkshire but throughout the world.

"We still mourn the loss of Sharon and I wish to pass on my thanks, on behalf of my West Yorkshire colleagues, to the National Crime Agency in Pakistan for making this arrest possible."