London Attack Suspect Previous Convicted, Not Deported

The suspect in a series of acid-like attacks in London was revealed to be a migrant from Afghanistan who was previously convicted of a serious crime. The attack prompted considerable criticism of Britain’s immigration system, including why the migrant was not deported.

British police are seeking Abdul Shokoor Ezedi for allegedly throwing a corrosive substance on several people in London. Ezedi allegedly threw an alkaline substance on a 31-year-old woman and her daughter near the Clapham Common area of London Wednesday evening.

The suspect was caught on video approaching the mother and daughter before committing the attack. He then tried to flee in a vehicle but ran into another car, prompting him to run away.

Ezedi allegedly lifted the child above his head and threw her on the ground, with one witness saying that the girl was like a “ragdoll.” The same witness described the scene as like a “horror movie.”

Ezedi is still at large following the attack.

The suspect arrived in Britain from Afghanistan in 2016. After arriving in Britain he was convicted of attacking a woman and exposing himself. However, the United Kingdom granted him asylum in 2020. Despite the serious nature of the conviction, Ezedi received less than a year’s jail time, but the punishment for both crimes were each suspended for two years.

The result was a probation, from which he was discharged in 2020.

The suspect claimed that he converted to Christianity, which would have presented a persecution risk had he returned to Afghanistan, making him eligible for asylum. British authorities denied his asylum request twice, prior to a court allowing him to stay in 2020.

Current British policy allows for those seeking asylum in the country to stay even if they have a prison sentence for up to one year.

London Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said that the mother injured in the attack is in poor condition and that her injuries were expected to be “life-changing.”

Met Police Commander Jon Savell says 31-year-old mother remains very poorly and is sedated after Clapham attack, with her injuries expected to be life-changing

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