Shopkeeper who went missing FIVE YEARS ago in Bradford turns up ‘safe and well’ just days after five people were arrested for his murder

The mysterious case of a Bradford shopkeeper missing since 2020 took on a new twist today after police said he had resurfaced ‘safe and well’ just 48 hours after detectives declared him dead and arrested five people on suspicion of murder.

İsmail Ali disappeared after leaving work At 14.30 on May 29, 2020, at Gulam Food Stores in the Lidget Green area of ​​the city, at the age of 46.

On Monday, three women, aged 47, 54 and 55, and two men, aged 27 and 51, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

A senior official also told the press: ‘After extensive investigations, we suspect that Ismail Ali is no longer alive and may have been murdered.’

However, today he turned out to be ‘polite and pious’. Ali, described as bearded, slim and just six feet tall, walked into a police station in Bradford on Wednesday.

West Yorkshire Police raided addresses on Beckside Road and Cumberland Road (a street where he was last seen five years ago) as part of a murder investigation.

In a statement made today after the murder investigation was dropped, the police said that ‘a large amount of cash was seized’ from the properties and a money laundering investigation was launched.

Police say Ismail Ali emerged after five years and is ‘safe and well’

His family has been informed, but Ismail is being looked after by the police.

A force spokesman said: ‘Detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of Bradford Man Ismail Ali in 2020 can confirm that he attended a police station yesterday and reported being safe and well.

‘Officers are trying to understand the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

‘Mr Ali’s family was informed that he was found safe and healthy and was taken under protection while the necessary checks were carried out.

‘Following the arrests on Monday, house searches were carried out at three properties and a large sum of money was seized. Some of those arrested were released on bail due to money laundering charges.

Investigations into money laundering crimes will continue for a while.

‘Officers would like to thank citizens who shared the appeal for Mr Ali.’

Mr Ali’s reappearance was happy news for his family and an extraordinary development as police believed he had been murdered.

5 people, including 3 women, were detained for allegedly killing him.

Inspector Tom Hilyer said the arrests were a ‘significant development in the investigation into Ismail’s disappearance’.

‘After extensive investigations, we suspect that Ismail Ali is no longer alive and may have been murdered.’

He added: ‘We know allegiances change over time, any information could be key to getting answers about Mr Ali’s disappearance.’

Police piece together Ismail’s whereabouts for the last five years

Mr Ali was last seen working at Gulam Food Stores in Bradford.

Today the police had some good news about Mr Ali and will be speaking to him and piecing together his whereabouts since 2020.

At the time of his disappearance, his family said they were desperate for the whereabouts of the ‘kind and religious’ store worker.

Ismail was wanted in Bradford but had links to Dewsbury, Batley and Blackburn.

He was last seen wearing a red hoodie, black pants and dark shoes, and police released the store’s security cameras.

Four months after his disappearance, a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous said, “I know him well because he lives across the street from me.”

‘He is a simple and straightforward man and very humble. I’ve never seen him yelling. I have no idea (where it is) but everyone is talking about it.

‘We are worried about him; he is a community person that we see every day. ‘He was good to customers and a good person and it’s been a long time coming.’