US Woman Found Guilty in Failed Birmingham Assassination Plot

A US woman who flew to the UK as part of a revenge plot to kill a Birmingham businessman’s family has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Aimee Betro, from West Allis, Wisconsin, travelled to Britain in 2019 to target Sikander Ali in Yardley, Birmingham. Wearing a niqab to conceal her identity, she attempted to fire at him at point-blank range on Measham Grove, but the gun jammed, allowing Mr Ali to escape unharmed.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Betro, 44, was recruited by Mohammed Nazir and Mohammed Aslam as part of their feud with businessman Aslat Mahumad. The pair had been injured during disorder at Mr Mahumad’s clothing boutique in July 2018, prompting a plot to kill him or a family member.

After the failed shooting, Betro fled the UK and spent nearly five years on the run, much of it in Armenia, before being extradited to face trial.

Jurors convicted her by an 11-to-1 majority on conspiracy to murder and firearm charges, and unanimously on an ammunition charge. She showed no visible reaction as the verdicts were delivered.

Betro is due to be sentenced on 21 August. Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said no pre-sentence reports were requested. Judge Simon Drew KC remarked, “I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting.”

CCTV footage released by West Midlands Police showed Betro in Birmingham shortly after the attempted shooting.

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