Guilty: Men kidnapped and assaulted an Imam

Two men have been found guilty of kidnapping and violently assaulting an 87 year-old Imam in Oldham last year, causing significant injuries including a brain bleed alongside swelling and lacerations across his body.

Azizur Rahman, 38, and Shohad Miah, 24, had previously denied these offences and attempted to pervert the course of justice by setting fire to the car they used to kidnap the man.

Sobia Ahmed, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Azizur Rahman and Shohad Miah carried out a disgraceful, targeted attack on a lone man.

“After bundling him into a car, they subjected him to a brutal assault, causing serious injuries including a bleed on his brain.

“Not only was he physically injured and terrified, he also had his phone, cash and clothing stolen before he was callously abandoned on the street in an area he didn’t know.

“Rahman and Miah also set fire to the car in an unsuccessful attempt to thwart the investigation.

“As they face the consequences of their actions that night, I can only hope the victim takes some comfort in knowing they have been brought to justice.”

Facts of the case

Around 9pm on 15 September 2024, the Imam was walking on Lee Street in Oldham when an Audi, driven by Miah, pulled up alongside him. Miah and the passenger, Rahman, got out of the car and bundled the man into the back, then activated the child lock so he couldn’t escape.

The man was blindfolded with his own scarf, strangled and assaulted. Despite his pleas for them to stop, he was hit with a stick and Rahman robbed him of his phone, money and clothes.

Following the assault, the man was forced out of the car on Oldham Road in Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge.

After walking for some time, he sought help and the police were called.

He received significant injuries including a bleed on the brain, swelling and lacerations to his ear and jaw, swelling to his face and bruising to his arm and neck. He also lost a tooth during the assault.

Following a police investigation, Rahman and Miah were arrested and answered no comment in their police interviews. They went on to claim that the Imam was the aggressor.

CCTV was recovered showing the victim being forced into the back of the Audi by both men.

On 20 September 2024, the Audi was located on Beever Street in Oldham, having been deliberately set alight. Both men were seen in the area and fingerprint and DNA evidence linked Rahman to the accelerants found at the site. Forensic testing on the car revealed the victim’s blood on the rear seat.

Dashcam footage recovered from Miah’s Volkswagen recorded the two men discussing the kidnapping the day before, proving this was a planned attack.

Following the trial at Manchester Crown Court, on 4 April 2025, Miah and Rahman were convicted of kidnapping, non-fatal strangulation, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Rahman was also convicted of robbery.

They will be sentenced on 29 May 2025.

Detective Sergeant Rick Bolt, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Azizur Rahman and Shohad Miah have been convicted for their heinous crimes.

This conviction serves as a reminder that such acts of violence will not be tolerated, and justice will be served.

“This was not a random attack; the victim was specifically targeted due to a prior visit to Rahman's home, where he had performed prayers and provided amulets for Rahman's stepson.

“Fortunately, the kidnap was captured on CCTV footage, which along with other evidence, led investigation officers to the offenders.”