Iraqi man faces trial next year accused of immigration centre murder
AN Iraqi man accused of beating to death a fellow detainee at an immigration facility is expected to stand trial next year.
Zana Assad Yusif, 31, allegedly murdered Bangladeshi national Tarek Chowdhury
Zana Assad Yusif, 31, allegedly murdered frail Bangladeshi national Tarek Chowdhury in a cell at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre on December 1.
Mr Chowdhury, 64, was taken to hospital following a violent attack at the centre in Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Middlesex, and was pronounced dead.
Kurdish-speaking Yusif appeared at the Old Bailey before Judge Richard Marks QC via video link from Wormwood Scrubs.
Inside Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre
No application for bail was made and the defendant, who spoke only to confirm his name, was remanded in custody following a brief hearing.
A plea hearing was fixed for February 21 and a provisional trial starting on May 8.
The defendant, who spoke only to confirm his name, was remanded in custody following a brief hearing
Colnbrook detains people subject to immigration control and has the capacity to hold up to 396 men and 27 women.
The centre is adjacent to Heathrow Airport and is operated by Mitie Care and Custody, which won the contract to run the centre in 2014 after Serco ran it from its opening in 2004.