Hossein Zahir specialises in criminal defence work. He has represented defendants charged with murder, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering and other serious crimes. He has a particular interest in terrorism and public order and protest cases.
Hossein is ranked for criminal law in Chambers UK 2019 (Band 4). He is ranked for criminal law in Legal 500 UK 2019 (Tier 2).
Criminal Defence
Overview
Hossein Zahir has acted as lead defence counsel in some of the most high-profile criminal and terrorist trials in recent times. He is recognised as a leading individual in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He is a member of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team, winners of the Legal 500 Crime Team of the Year 2015.
Hossein specialises in criminal defence work. Formerly as a solicitor and now as a barrister he has represented defendants charged with murder, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering and other serious crimes. He has particular experience in terrorism as well as public order and protest cases.
Prior to coming to the law Hossein worked for the Newham Monitoring Project, a community organisation in East London committed to supporting and campaigning on behalf of the victims of racial harassment.
Notable Cases
Murder
R v Al Shihabi (2022) - Woolwich Crown Court
Defendant charged with murder following a single stab to the chest. He was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter.
R v Adams (2022) – Birmingham Crown Court
Defendant charged with murder together with 3 others following a shooting. He was the only defendant to be acquitted on all counts.
R v Padley (2021/ 2022) – Loughborough (‘super court’)
Represented the second defendant on a 9 handed indictment charging robbery, conspiracy to commit GBH and murder in the course of a ‘county lines’ drug feud
R v Khan (2021) – Reading Crown Court
Represented the first defendant on an 8 handed indictment charging murder in the course of an organised fight.
R v Carter Fraser (2021) – Central Criminal Court
A vulnerable defendant acquitted of murder. He was alleged to be part of a team responsible for shooting an innocent member of the public mistakenly targeted as part of a gang feud.
R v Sohal (2021) - Croydon Crown Court
Defendant charged with murder following gang fight.
R v Dempster (2020) - Central Criminal Court
Rape and murder in the course of a burglary.
R v Mahmood (2020) - Reading Crown Court
A ‘cut throat’ case with defendant acquitted of murder at retrial and co-defendant convicted after the first trial.
R v Bramble (2020) - Central Criminal Court
Defendant charged with murder unfit to plead with trial of the issue.
R v Balachandran (2017) - Luton Crown Court
Represented first defendant. Multi-handed murder with 'cut throat' defences.
Terrorism
R v Rashid (2021) – Woolwich Crown Court
Defendant charged with terrorist offences arising out of the conflict in Syria
R v Aristidou (2021) – Central Criminal Court
Defendant charged with terrorism offences arising out of the Syrian conflict. The case involved complex jurisdictional issues.
R v Chapra (2021) – Kingston Crown Court
Defendant charged with terrorism offences related to the dissemination of terrorist publications
R v Safaa Boular (2018) - Central Criminal Court
Represented Safaa Boular the youngest female ISIS supporter (her sister and mother were convicted of separate plots) convicted of two charges relating plans to carry out attacks in Syria and the UK. Complex issues of disclosure engaged as well as the role of MI5.
R v Nadeem Patel (2018) - Central Criminal Court
Leading counsel for defendant charged with firearms offences jointly with Umar Haque (in turn charge with grooming children and planning UK attacks). The only defendant of four acquitted.
R v Tadesse Kersmo (2017) - Snaresbrook Crown Court
Leading counsel representing senior member of democratic Ethiopian opposition group charged with terrorism, offences. This case involved detailed expert evidence on the geo politics of the region. Defendant acquitted on all charges.
R v Ayfer Yildiz (2017) - Central Criminal Court
Represented the defendant was accused of disseminating terrorist publications, namely Turkish communist magazines. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.
R v Pervez Rafiq (2016) - Central Criminal Court
Leading counsel for Mr Rafiq who was charged with terrorism fundraising by organising aid convoys to Syria. The defendant included the use of evidence from MI5. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.
R v Tarik Hassane (2016) - Central Criminal Court
Represented Tark Hassane in relation to allegations of planning to shoot a soldier or policeman in support of ISIS. The plot had progressed to the stage where a weapon and ammunition had been purchased.
R v Iqbal & others (2013) - Woolwich Crown Court
Represented Mohammed Ahmed who pleaded guilty to engaging in preparatory terrorist conduct.
R v Irfan Naseer (2013) - Woolwich Crown Court
Represented Bahader Ali, Mohammed Rizwan and Mujahid Hussain on guilty pleas in relation to allegations of acts preparatory to acts of terrorism and terrorist fund raising.
R v Khan & others (2013) - Woolwich Crown Court
Represented O Khan who pleaded guilty to engaging in preparatory terrorist conduct, namely an armed attack on an English Defence League rally in Dewsbury.
R v DD (2013) - Central Criminal Court
Represented DD charged with breaching a Terrorism Prevention Investigation Measure (TPIM).
R v Begum (2012) - Central Criminal Court
Defendant charged with possessing terrorist documents/ publication.
R v Chowdhury & others (2012) - Woolwich Crown Court
Represented O Latif who pleaded guilty to engaging in preparatory terrorist conduct.
R v Shanthan (2009) - Kingston Crown Court
Represented Shanthan in a trial of alleged members of the proscribed organisation LTTE (Tamil Tigers) and providing support for that organisation.
R v Saleem (2008) - Kingston Crown Court
Trial of former members of the Islamist group Al Muhajiroun. Represented Abdul Saleem accused of inciting terrorism and fundraising.
R v Ahmed Ali and others (2008) - Woolwich Crown Court
The "Heathrow bomb plot" or Operation Overt - represented Mohammed Gulzar.
R v Baluch and Marri (2008) - Woolwich Crown Court
Represented Faiz Baluch who successfully raised the defence of self-defence to allegations of inciting terrorist murder overseas and involvement with a terrorist group operating in Baluchistan, Pakistan.
R v Khyam & Others (2006-2007) - Central Criminal Court
Operation Crevice "fertiliser bomb plot" trial - Represented Anthony Garcia
Other cases
R v Taylor (2020) - Snaresbrook Crown Court
One punch manslaughter with defendant acquitted.
R v Dixon and others (2018) - Wood Green Crown Court
Leading counsel for juvenile defendant charged with firearm conspiracies with his mother and older brother.
R v N Rashid (2016) - Sheffield Crown Court
Represented defendant charged with 11 others after a large-scale violent disorder following a counter protest against 'Britain First' and far right protestors. All defendants acquitted on grounds of self-defence.
R v M Ali (2015) - Central Criminal Court
Represented defendant MA was charged with possessing a chemical weapon (ricin). He relied upon the statutory defence of 'peaceful purpose' (not previously argued). MA convicted.
R v Eroglu (2012) - Central Criminal Court
Represented defendant charged with arson by throwing petrol bombs into a cafe used by political opponents.
R v Iqbal (2012) - Liverpool Crown Court
Represented defendant in relation to complicated allegation of fraud linked to dental practice.
R v Rollins (2011) - Blackfriars Crown Court
Represented defendant charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder as part of an anti-fascist protest.
R v Woollard (2011) - Southwark Crown Court
Represented a student who threw a fire extinguisher from a rooftop during protest.
Contact Hossein
Criminal Appeals
R v Ahmed [2018] EWCA Crim 133
Attorney Generals reference of first instance sentence in this terrorist case. Sentence unchanged.
R v Golamaully [2017] EWCA Crim 898
Successful sentence appeal in terrorist fundraising case.
R v El-Gurbozi [2016] EWCA Crim 1172
Successful sentence appeal for complex car theft conspiracy
R v Ali [2016] EWCA Crim 864
Sentence and conviction appeal for possession/ purchase of chemical weapon.
Secretary of State for the Home Dept v (1) EC (2) EG (2017) [2017] EWHC 795 (Admin)
Appeal against the imposition of a Terrorism Prevention and Information Measure appeal
R v Dart & 4 Ors (2014) [2014] EWCA Crim 2158
Led for the applicant Ahmed and alone for the applicant Hussain. Conjoined terrorism sentence appeal. Sentence reduced for Hussain.
R v Usman Khan [2013] EWCA Crim 468
Consideration of dangerousness in terrorist cases.
R v Wassab Khan [2013] EWCA Crim 1345
Consideration of the test to be applied on submission of no case to answer.
R v Abdul Rehman Saleem & Ors [2009] EWCA Crim 920
Sentences reduced on appeal for terrorist convictions.
R v Omar Khyam & Ors [2008] EWCA Crim 1612
Appeal against conviction and sentence.
Ayliffe, Swain and Percy v DPP [2005] EWHC 684 (Admin)
Appeal by way of case stated on the question of lawful activity in aggravated trespass the appellants claiming the activity they disrupted was unlawful as it was in pursuance of the Iraq war. Hossein was the instructing solicitor.
R v Saddiqui [2003] EWCA Crim 1191
Appeal against sentence in relation to the Burnley disorders. The court clarified the approach to violent disorder arising from the appellants' lawful presence in the streets in defence of their community.
Percy v DPP [2001] EWHC Admin 1125
Appeal by way of case stated on protest, freedom of expression and Article 10 ECHR. Hossein was the instructing solicitor.
