An alleged “hitman for hire” has appeared in court accused of orchestrating violent attacks on two UK-based Pakistani dissidents, including one in Cambridgeshire.
An alleged “hitman for hire” has appeared in court accused of orchestrating violent attacks on two Pakistani dissidents at their homes in the UK.
Louis Regan, 25, is accused of plotting simultaneous assaults on human rights lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar and journalist Adil Raja at 8am on Christmas Eve last year.
Mr Akbar was previously a member of the cabinet under jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan while Mr Raja is an outspoken critic of the current Pakistani government who has written extensively about alleged corruption in the country’s military.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard Regan is accused of leading a “planned and sophisticated” plot for both men to be attacked on their doorsteps simultaneously.
“A group attended Mr Raja’s address at 8am but Mr Raja wasn’t in,” said prosecutor Warren Stanier.
But the court heard Mr Akbar was at home in Cambridgeshire when a group, allegedly led by Regan, knocked on his door.
Mr Stanier said: “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.”
UK: Student accused of plotting an attack on Pakistani human rights lawyer in Cambridgeshire
