A murder charge following the death of Ali Barzai in Plymouth has prompted Devon and Cornwall Police to appeal for information — and to warn against public speculation before the case is heard in court.

Mohamed Abotaka, 36, of Grand Parade, was charged with the murder of Barzai, 52, after Barzai was found partially inside a wheelie bin in a service lane off Grand Parade at about 6.40am on 21 October, according to reports based on the police statement. Barzai was pronounced dead at the scene, and police said enquiries to locate his next of kin were continuing.¹

The reporting across the political groupings is aligned on the central facts: a charge has been brought, the defendant was due before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, and the investigation remains active. The left-wing source foregrounded the police request for witnesses and the need not to prejudice proceedings.¹ One right-wing report likewise concentrated on the charge, police presence and the appeal for information.²

Other right-wing coverage gave greater prominence to police-reported details about Abotaka’s believed national background in its headline and opening. ³ Another paired the case with a description of the West Hoe area, while repeating the police account of the charge and the victim’s death.⁴ Police said Abotaka was believed to be from Syria and Barzai was believed to be of North African heritage; neither detail changes the fact that the allegation has yet to be tested in court.

Detective Inspector Chris Lithgow said: “A suspect is due to appear in court charged with murder and we would urge people not to speculate on this case, especially on social media, and risk prejudicing these ongoing proceedings.”² He added that a heightened police presence would remain in the area and encouraged residents with concerns to contact the force.

A post on X from Tommy Robinson repeated the charge and said police “believe [Abotaka] to be from Syria, but they don’t know,” illustrating the social-media focus that police specifically asked the public to avoid amplifying.Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (TRobinsonNewEra)⁵