A husband, accused of murdering his wife after a body was found in their back garden, has appeared in court.
Alireza Askari, 41, is accused of murdering Paria Veisi, 37, whose body was later found at a property in the Penylan area of Cardiff.
Askari, from Cardiff, is also accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and assaulting a person occasioning them actual bodily harm.
He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court alongside Maryam Delavary, 48, from White City Estate in west London.
She is accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Glamorous company director Paria Veisi – described as having ‘many smiles’ – vanished after leaving her office.
Her £40,000 Mercedes was later found in a luxury street of large houses but with no sign of Paria.
Her body was later found by police after making two arrests. Officers have set up tents to search a suburban garden in Penylan, Cardiff.
Her husband Alireza Askari, 41, and a woman Maryam Delavary, 48, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court over Paria’s death
A husband appeared in court today charged with the murder of his businesswoman wife whose body was found in a suburban garden
The body of missing Paria Veisi has been found after she was reported missing last week
The pair, both wearing grey tracksuits, were joined in the dock by an interpreter and spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.
The court heard a psychiatric report had been issued into Askari’s mental health and the pair will return for a further hearing in May.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, fixed a four-week trial beginning on October 6.
Police say Paria left her work in Cathays, Cardiff, at 3pm on Saturday.
Her black Mercedes GLC 220 was found a mile away in the street of large Edwardian houses in Dorchester Avenue, Penylan, in the Welsh capital.
Police forensic teams were later spotted setting up large white tents on a neighbouring road.
Speaking after the charges were issued, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell, said: ‘This brings our search for Paria to a sad and tragic end. Paria’s family, all those who knew her, and those in her local community, will be deeply saddened and shocked by these latest developments. Family liaison officers are continuing to support Paria’s family’.
‘I would like to thank all those who have come forward so far with information since our appeal was launched.’
‘There will continue to be detectives and crime scene investigators working in the Penylan area over the next week, and I would encourage anyone with any information to talk to officers at the scene or to get in touch.’
A 41-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, who are both known to Paria, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody
Ms Veisi, from the Cathays area of Cardiff was reported missing on Sunday, 13 April, after she was last seen at around 3pm a day earlier when she left her workplace in Canton
An alert was sparked after Paria’s disappearance was described as ‘totally out of character’. She was described as having long, curly, black hair.
The 37-year-old was last seen wearing a black zip-up gym top over a red top, black trousers, and trainers.
A memorial service to Paria is set to take place at Cardiff Bay’s iconic Norwegian Church tomorrow night.
A notice inviting people to the service reads: ‘With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we invite you to a memorial gathering in honour of the kindness, selflessness, and the many smiles Paria Veisi shared throughout her life.
‘Her memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We warmly welcome you to join us in remembering and celebrating Paria’s life.
‘Your presence will be a great comfort to those mourning her loss and a tribute to the beautiful life she lived.’