An 18-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who stabbed a butcher to death at a halal meat store told a court his victim was part of a Taliban network who tried to recruit him, the UK’s Daily Mail reported.

Ehsannullah Mohabat told the court that 24-year-old Pakistani Irfan Ahmad had tried to recruit him to the Wood Green Taliban cell and when he refused, threatened to kill him and his family.

According to the Daily Mail report, Mohabat said he fled to Turkey after the stabbing in September 2011 with the aid of London Taliban members who offered to 'smuggle him out of the UK so he wouldn't reveal their existence'.

Mohabat was extradited to the UK to stand trial for murder in December last year.

According to prosecutors the row started on 28 September 2011 when Mohabat entered the shop and demanded a free phone card before punching a staff member. Ahmad then stepped in as a peacemaker.

The next day Mohabat returned and after a row, stabbed Ahmad, the jury was told.

He died at the scene as Mohabat fled from the shop and ran down the road. 

The Daily Mail reported that Mohabat denies murder. The trial continues.