Man extradited from Pakistan appears before magistrates, charged with double murder in Bradford

Ahmedin Khyel, left, and Imran Khan

Mohammed Zubair, 36, has been charged with the murders of Imran Khan 27, and Ahmedin Sayed Khyel, 35, whose bodies were found in New Lane, Tong, in May 2011.

Above: Police cordoned off New Lane after the discovery in May, 2011

Zubair, of Heath Terrace, Barkerend, has been in custody in Pakistan since November 2013 and his extradition is the first instance in more than a decade from that country to the UK.

But Zubair’s solicitor Shahzad Ali, told the court today: "There was an appeal pending in Pakistan before the crown court.

"The decision had not been announced by that court as to his return so I'm not prepared to concede his return to this country was legal.

"I want it noted on the record."

Zubair, who is bald with a closely trimmed black beard, appeared in the dock dressed in a grey crew-necked sweatshirt with faded blue jeans and was in handcuffs.

He waved at acquaintances in the public gallery and smiled at them before confirming his name, age and address to the magistrates who committed him in custody to appear at Bradford Crown Court tomorrow.

An officer standing guard at the entrance to New Lane in 2011

Ahead of Zubair's court apperance, Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, who has led the West Yorkshire Police inquiry, said: "After five years, West Yorkshire Police has managed to arrange the extradition of Mohammed Zubair, who has been held in custody in Pakistan since November 2013.

"I would like to praise the Pakistani authorities for their assistance and endeavours in not only securing his arrest, but also ensuring his extradition back to the UK.

"This has been a process that has taken a long time to come to fruition, and is the first instance in more than ten years that anyone has been extradited from Pakistan to the UK."