Four Men Convicted of Murder in Fatal Stabbing of Taxi Passenger

Four men have been found guilty of the fatal stabbing of a taxi passenger in East London. The incident took place on November 11, 2023, when Anselam Senaj, 26, was attacked after the taxi he was traveling in was forcibly stopped by another vehicle containing masked men.

Attack Details

Senaj was sitting in the back seat of the taxi when the vehicle was halted by a silver Mitsubishi containing six men. Four of the men got out, and three of them surrounded the taxi to attack Senaj while he remained seated. The attackers were dressed in masks, gloves, and black outfits. Two of them carried long knives, up to 2 feet (61 cm) in length. During the attack, Senaj was stabbed in the chest and died at the scene.

Involvement in Drug Dealing

Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC revealed that Senaj had drugs on him, and messages on his phone suggested he was involved in drug dealing. When Senaj saw the Mitsubishi approaching, he reportedly told the taxi driver that the men would kill him, which tragically proved true.

Verdict of the Trial

After a trial at the Old Bailey, Muhammad Saqib Khan, 23, from Enfield, and Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 18, from Manor Park, were convicted of the murder of Senaj. Zain Ali, 21, and Ibrahim Naim, 18, both from East Ham, were acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Two other defendants, Khalis Malik, 19, from Ilford, and Esahak Yusuf, 20, from East Ham, were cleared of all charges.

The Prosecution’s Case

The prosecution argued that Khan delivered the fatal stab wound, with Miah and Ali playing roles in the attack. While Naim admitted being the driver of the Mitsubishi, Khan denied being at the scene during the murder. The trial uncovered that the men were masked and prepared for a violent confrontation, resulting in Senaj's tragic death.

Sentencing Scheduled

The sentencing for the four convicted men will take place on March 14, 2025. The case has highlighted concerns over violence in London, particularly in relation to drug-related incidents and the risks taxi drivers and passengers face on the roads.