Three family members of Sara Sharif, the 10-year-old girl who was found dead in her Surrey home on 10 August, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after arriving in the UK on a flight from Dubai.
Sara's father Urfan, his partner Beinash Batool and brother Faisal Malik, travelled to Islamabad a day before police discovered her body in Woking.
A post-mortem examination found the girl had suffered 'multiple and extensive injuries' over a 'sustained and extended' period of time.
Surrey Police said: "This evening, around 7.45pm, three people were arrested in connection with this investigation at Gatwick Airport.
“Two men, aged 41 years and 28 years, and a woman, aged 29 years, were arrested on suspicion of murder after disembarking a flight from Dubai. They are currently in custody and will be interviewed in due course.
“Sara’s mother has been informed of this latest update and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts remain with her and those affected by Sara’s death at this very difficult time.
“This has been an extremely fast-moving, challenging and complex enquiry and we remain absolutely committed to conducting a thorough investigation into Sara’s death.
“We will not be commenting any further at this point and will provide further updates as and when we are able to.”
A spokesperson for Sialkot Police in Pakistan said that the three who had been arrested were handed over to the Pakistani Federal Investigation Agency.
Five of Sara's siblings with ages between one and 13 years old, travelled with Sharif, Batool and Malik to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, on 9 August.
Surrey Police had previously said they are working to secure the children's safe return after a court ruled that they would be moved to temporary accommodation in a government facility.
Following her daughter's death, Sara Sharif's mum Olga said that the 10-year-old was an 'amazing child'.
Olga said that she would spend hours with her daughter knitting and crocheting, and that they enjoyed trips to the zoo together.
Sara's mum said she 'loved building and making things' and spoke fondly of them going to get craft supplies for her next project.
The 36-year-old had been travelling to Poland when she was told that her daughter's body had been found and told to return to England immediately.
Sara's parents had separated in 2015, and the 10-year-old had been living with her mother until 2019, when a family court ruled the child should live with her father.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Getty Stock Photo
Joe Harker