Channel 4 has commissioned a new documentary about the murder of pregnant lawyer, Fawziyah Javed.
The 31-year-old from Leeds was 17 weeks pregnant with her first child and went on a mini break to Edinburgh her her husband. CCTV on 2nd September 2021 shows them arm-in-arm strolling through the city. But by 10.30pm she was found dead, having fallen from Arthur’s Seat.
Two days later, her husband was arrested and charged with murder.
Candour’s new documentary series follows the murder trial, minute-by-minute. The Leeds team gets exclusive access to the court, Javed’s family as they go through the process of hearing evidence and her family and friends as they live with the aftermath.
“It’s been such a privilege to see the process of justice played out minute by minute at Edinburgh High Court and it’s been an utter privilege to work with Fawziyah’s large and loving family who are destroyed by what has happened to her,” said Series Director, Anna Hall (pictured).
“I find myself making another film about a woman who was on the verge of leaving an abusive relationship – the most dangerous time for any woman – and I want to weep. How many more women will be killed at the hands of their abusive partners? But I know we will all learn so many vitally important things which helped to convict her abuser.”
The court saw how Javed had been documenting the abuse from her husband, which provided enough evidence for the jury to be in no doubt of what was going on behind closed doors.
The series was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Documentaries Alisa Pomeroy.
“To tell Fawziyah’s story in this way, with her family bravely sharing what is an unimaginably painful time for them, is both a great privilege and a great responsibility,” said Alisa Pomeroy.
“No woman should have to suffer an abusive relationship. Shining a light on this heart-breaking case is important for many reasons, and I hope that other women suffering in a similar way might find strength in seeing this film to make a lifesaving change in their own life. The access gained by Anna and the team at Candour to make this series is unique and I have no doubt they will honour Fawziyah’s memory, showing how her killer was brought to justice.”
The Push will be made my Candour TV with Series Director Anna Hall, Series Producer Josephine Besbrode and Series Editor Luke Rothery.
