Jailed ‘honour killer’ who ordered niece’s death suing ITV after saying crime drama blackened his name

A MURDERER is suing ITV, claiming a crime drama based on his “honour” killing of his niece has blackened his name.

Ari Mahmod ordered three cousins to kill Banaz Mahmod, 20, after she left an abusive arranged marriage.

PA:Press Association

Ari Mahmod ordered three cousins to kill Banaz Mahmod, 20, after she left an abusive arranged marriage[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Banaz was raped, beaten and throttled and her body buried in a Birmingham garden[/caption]

All four and her father were jailed for life in 2007 and 2010.

In 2020, the horrific crime was dramatised in Honour, starring Keeley Hawes.

Banaz, of Mitcham, South London, was raped, beaten and throttled and her body buried in a Birmingham garden.

Mahmod, 68 — once a senior member of London’s Iraqi Kurdish community — has now has launched a High Court action for libel and defamation.

It comes despite terrified members of his victim’s family, fearful of his wrath, still living under witness protection.

A family source said: “He’s never shown any remorse and is presumably now trying to make money out of how he has been portrayed.

“His characterisation appeared accurate.”

ITV has instructed leading London law firm Osborne Clarke to defend the action, and declined to comment yesterday.