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British founder of White Helmets found dead in Istanbul British founder of White Helmets found dead in Istanbul
(about 1 hour later)
James Le Mesurier, who set up Syrian rescue group, reportedly found with injuries near homeJames Le Mesurier, who set up Syrian rescue group, reportedly found with injuries near home
The British founder of the organisation that trained the Syrian rescue group known as the White Helmets has died in Istanbul.The British founder of the organisation that trained the Syrian rescue group known as the White Helmets has died in Istanbul.
A spokesman for the White Helmets confirmed on Monday afternoon the death of James Le Mesurier, but said further details were yet to be established.A spokesman for the White Helmets confirmed on Monday afternoon the death of James Le Mesurier, but said further details were yet to be established.
A diplomat told Reuters that Le Mesurier was found dead near his apartment in central Istanbul’s Beyoğlu neighbourhood. Turkish media reports said he was found with fractures to his head and legs near the apartment building on Monday morning. A diplomat told Reuters that Le Mesurier was found dead near his apartment in central Istanbul’s Beyoğlu neighbourhood. Turkish media reports said he was found with fractures to his head and legs near the building on Monday morning and appeared to have fallen from the balcony of one of the apartments.
The former soldier founded Mayday Rescue, a not-for-profit group that established and trained the White Helmets, officially known as Syrian Civil Defence. The office of Istanbul’s governor said it had commenced a wide-ranging investigation into the death.
The volunteer group, made up of more than 3,000 volunteers, operates inside opposition-held areas in Syria and has been credited with saving the lives of thousands of victims of Russian and Syrian airstrikes and bombings. The former British army officer founded Mayday Rescue, a not-for-profit group that established and trained the White Helmets, officially known as Syrian Civil Defence.
The group, made up of more than 3,000 volunteers, operates inside opposition-held areas in Syria and has been credited with saving the lives of thousands of victims of Russian and Syrian airstrikes and bombings.
White Helmet workers rush to the scenes of bombings to try to rescue the wounded from the rubble. They have also helped to document alleged war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons.White Helmet workers rush to the scenes of bombings to try to rescue the wounded from the rubble. They have also helped to document alleged war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons.
The group continues to operate in Idlib, the last opposition-held territory in Syria, and three of its volunteers were injured in Russian shelling that killed three people last week, it said.The group continues to operate in Idlib, the last opposition-held territory in Syria, and three of its volunteers were injured in Russian shelling that killed three people last week, it said.
The Guardian has previously documented how the organisation has been the target of a disinformation campaign, conducted with the support of the Russian government, that positions it as an al-Qaida-linked terrorist organisation.The Guardian has previously documented how the organisation has been the target of a disinformation campaign, conducted with the support of the Russian government, that positions it as an al-Qaida-linked terrorist organisation.
Le Mesurier had been subject to similar campaigns and was targeted by Russia’s foreign ministry as recently as last week.Le Mesurier had been subject to similar campaigns and was targeted by Russia’s foreign ministry as recently as last week.
The group’s funders currently include the British and German governments. The Trump administration froze US funding, which made up about one-third of the total, without public explanation in early 2018, but resumed giving financial aid last month amid criticism of its decision to withdraw US troops from north-eastern Syria.The group’s funders currently include the British and German governments. The Trump administration froze US funding, which made up about one-third of the total, without public explanation in early 2018, but resumed giving financial aid last month amid criticism of its decision to withdraw US troops from north-eastern Syria.
The White Helmets have been nominated for the Nobel peace prize several times and a documentary about the group won an Oscar in 2017.The White Helmets have been nominated for the Nobel peace prize several times and a documentary about the group won an Oscar in 2017.
Le Mesurier received an OBE in 2016 for his services to Syrian civilians.