Birmingham Student Accused as 'Hitman for Hire' in Planned Attacks on Pakistani Dissidents
A Birmingham student is facing serious allegations of operating as a "hitman for hire", according to a judge, following a disturbing plot targeting two prominent Pakistani dissidents at their homes in the United Kingdom. Louis Regan, a 25-year-old student, stands accused of orchestrating simultaneous assaults on human rights lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar and journalist Adil Raja, which were planned for 8am on Christmas Eve last year.
Details of the Alleged Plot
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Regan was accused of leading what prosecutors described as a "planned and sophisticated" operation. The plot allegedly involved both men being attacked on their doorsteps at the same time. Prosecutor Warren Stanier revealed that while a group attended Mr Raja’s address at the designated time, Mr Raja was not present. However, Mr Akbar was at his home in Cambridgeshire when a group, purportedly led by Regan, knocked on his door.
Mr Stanier detailed the prosecution's case, stating: "The prosecution say Mr Regan was the actual attacker that disguised himself in a workman’s uniform, hi-vis jacket, helmet, gloves and a mask. They knocked on the door of Mr Akbar’s house, and when Mr Akbar confirmed he was the person, he was then assaulted, punched numerous times to the face, causing him bruising, cuts and a broken nose."
Background of the Targets
The two individuals targeted in this alleged plot have significant profiles. Mirza Shahzad Akbar previously served as a member of the cabinet under jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. Adil Raja is an outspoken critic of the current Pakistani government, having written extensively about alleged corruption within the country’s military. The prosecutor suggested that reconnaissance trips were conducted earlier to both Mr Akbar’s home and Mr Raja’s address in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, indicating a premeditated effort.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram remanded Regan, who is from Birmingham, into custody ahead of a hearing scheduled at the Old Bailey on February 13. The judge characterised the case against Regan as involving "a hitman for hire for violence". Regan, a second-year sport and exercise science student at Canterbury University, is accused of being the "controlling mind" behind the two assault plots. Prosecutors allege he was "a man willing to work for hire, to commit these kind of violent vicious attacks".
Regan will be joined at the Old Bailey by three co-defendants who all appeared in court for the first time on Saturday:
- Karl Blackbird, 40, from Bedworth
- Clark McAulay, 39, from Coventry
- Doneto Brammer, 21, from Wood Green, north London
Blackbird is accused of involvement in both alleged plots to attack Mr Raja and Mr Akbar, while McAulay is accused of conspiracy to assault Mr Raja. Brammer faces charges related to a second incident on New Year’s Eve last year, when it is alleged that Mr Akbar’s home was set alight and Brammer was carrying a firearm. Mr Stanier clarified that Regan is not accused of involvement in this second incident.
Specific Charges Faced by the Defendants
The charges against the defendants are as follows:
- Regan and Blackbird face two charges of conspiracy to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
- McAulay faces one charge of conspiracy to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
- Brammer faces charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Blackbird, McAulay, and Brammer were also remanded in custody on Saturday, as the legal process continues to unfold. This case highlights serious concerns about targeted violence against dissidents in the UK and the alleged involvement of individuals in hire-for-attack schemes.
