Sulaiman Tajzai sentenced to life for Westminster knife murder

Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of 26-year-old Farmanullah Sherzad in Westminster, central London. A judge at the Old Bailey ordered Tajzai to serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.

The attack occurred on March 27, 2026, after Tajzai traveled from Leeds to London. Investigations revealed that Tajzai had previously scouted the victim's residence and workplace. On the night of the incident, Tajzai purchased a knife in Leeds and waited for Sherzad to arrive home from work. When Sherzad attempted to flee, Tajzai pursued him and stabbed him multiple times in a public area.

The court heard that the murder was motivated by a personal grudge. Tajzai falsely believed Sherzad was a member of the Taliban and had harassed a female relative of the defendant. Despite the defendant's claims regarding the Taliban's history with his family, the judge noted there was no justifiable grievance against the victim. Sherzad, described by family as a polite and hardworking individual, died approximately 20 minutes after the attack despite medical intervention.