Aimee Betro: US woman disguised in niqab found guilty of plot to kill rival family in Birmingham
An American woman disguised in a niqab (face covering worn by some Muslim women) during a failed assassination attempt in Birmingham has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.
Aimee Betro, 45, flew to the UK before trying to shoot Sikander Ali at point-blank range outside his home in Measham Grove, Yardley, shortly after 8pm on September 7, 2019.
Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court found the graduate guilty of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol, and fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition.
The jury of six men and six women deliberated for almost 21 hours before delivering the verdicts on Tuesday, with two decided by an 11–1 majority.
Betro, originally from West Allis in Wisconsin and most recently living in Armenia, took part in a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 56, and his son Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, to attack a rival family.
Wearing a black cardigan and her hair in space buns, Betro “showed no obvious emotion” in the dock as the verdicts were read.
Adjourning sentencing until 21 August, Judge Simon Drew KC told the court: “I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting.”
Betro remained expressionless as she was remanded in custody and led away to the cells.