A woman has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged prevention of a lawful burial and attempting to pervert the course of justice, in a case connected to an ongoing murder investigation in Cardiff. Maryam Delavary, 48, of White City, London, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday to respond to the accusations following the death of Paria Veisi, whose body was discovered in a private garden in the city.
Paria Veisi, aged 37 and originally from Iran, had been reported missing earlier in April. She was last observed leaving her workplace and getting into her black Mercedes at around 3pm on 12 April. After several days with no sign of her whereabouts, her body was eventually found in the Penylan area of Cardiff, sparking a major police investigation and widespread shock among the local community.
A post-mortem examination conducted after her discovery revealed that Ms Veisi had sustained fatal stab wounds to both her neck and upper chest. These findings have formed the basis of the murder investigation, and authorities have charged a man named Alireza Askari, 41, with her murder. Mr Askari, believed to be Ms Veisi’s estranged husband, faces further counts relating to the alleged unlawful concealment of her body, and a separate allegation of assault.
During the court session, Maryam Delavary firmly denied two specific charges: first, that between 11 and 16 April she prevented the lawful and decent burial of Paria Veisi’s body; and secondly, that she conspired to pervert the course of justice by allegedly concealing evidence or providing false or misleading information to police officers. It is important to note that Ms Delavary maintains her innocence, and that all parties are entitled to a fair trial and a presumption of innocence under UK law. For his part, Mr Askari has not yet entered pleas to the charges against him.
Both individuals are currently being held in custody, pending further hearings. Their next appearance before Cardiff Crown Court is scheduled for 29 July, when the case is expected to advance, with further legal arguments anticipated.
In the wake of the tragedy, the local community has rallied to pay tribute to Ms Veisi’s life and memory. A well-attended memorial service was held in Cardiff Bay at the Norwegian church, with approximately 100 mourners present to mourn her loss. The venue proved too small for the number of attendees, forcing many to gather outside in a show of solidarity and remembrance.
Before the service, Sara Rezaei, one of Ms Veisi’s close friends, addressed the media and described her as a “kind, caring and vibrant soul”. She went on to add, “We are devastated, heartbroken and still in shock.” These sentiments have been echoed by many who knew Ms Veisi, highlighting the deep impact her death has had among friends and colleagues.
The investigation into Ms Veisi’s death continues, with South Wales Police urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. At this stage, officers are still piecing together the circumstances leading up to her disappearance and subsequent discovery, and the court proceedings are expected to shed further light on the case.
Cases such as this can leave lasting scars within communities, particularly given the circumstances and the nature of the allegations being considered in court. As events develop, many will be watching closely for updates, with both justice and the memory of Paria Veisi at the forefront of public concern.