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Funeral for Syria-death doctor Abbas Khan Syria-death doctor Abbas Khan was 'our star', brother tells funeral
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral of a British doctor who died while being held in custody in Syria is taking place. The brother of a British doctor who died while being held in custody in Syria has paid tribute to him at his funeral, describing him as "our star".
Abbas Khan was days from being freed when the Syrian government announced on 17 December he had committed suicide. His family believes he was murdered. The service for Abbas Khan took place at Regent's Park Mosque in London.
The 32-year-old from Streatham, south London, was arrested after arriving in Syria to work in a field hospital in a rebel-controlled area in November 2012. Mr Khan was days from being freed when the Syrian government announced on 17 December he had committed suicide. His family believes he was murdered.
The funeral is taking place at Regent's Park Mosque in central London. He was arrested after arriving in Syria to work in a field hospital in a rebel-controlled area in November 2012.
Before the funeral, a spokesman for Dr Khan's family told BBC News that an inquest into his death will open on Friday. An inquest into the death of the 32-year-old from Streatham will open at Walthamstow Coroner's Court on Friday.
'Kindest and simplest'
At a packed funeral prayer service, his brother Shahnawaz Khan said: "Last night, I sat down to undertake the morbid task of writing a eulogy for my brother."
"My brother, to us, was our star - his star shone on our family."
Dr Khan was described by his brother as the "kindest and simplest man I've ever met".
Mr Khan spoke of "the evil that has taken him from us so cruelly" and said the family had been through "one of the most difficult times we have ever seen".
In a very distressed state outside the mosque, Dr Khan's mother wailed and, as people tried to comfort her, she told people not to aid her.
"Nobody help me, I love my son. I am the loser. I'm the failure," she said.
"I beg everybody. I touch everyone's feet. Please give me my son."
Solicitor Nabeel Sheikh said the family were "grateful for all the support they have received from the public".Solicitor Nabeel Sheikh said the family were "grateful for all the support they have received from the public".
He said the idea of suicide was "inconceivable".
However, he added the Foreign Office had done "nothing more" than send Mr Khan's family a letter of condolence.However, he added the Foreign Office had done "nothing more" than send Mr Khan's family a letter of condolence.
The Foreign Office said it was giving the family "privacy and space to grieve".The Foreign Office said it was giving the family "privacy and space to grieve".
Following the funeral, the body of Dr Khan, who leaves behind his wife, a seven-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son, will be taken to Ilford, east London, to be buried. Following the funeral, the body of Dr Khan, who leaves behind his wife, a seven-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son, was taken to Ilford to be buried.
Cameron letter
Dr Khan's body was flown back to London on Sunday and a post-mortem examination later took place.Dr Khan's body was flown back to London on Sunday and a post-mortem examination later took place.
Michael Mansfield QC has been advising his family and has been asked to represent them should the coroner decide there will be an inquest. Cameron letter
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Khan entered Syria without a visa, and later told his family he was "accused of treating dying civilians, (women and children), which has been classed as an act of terrorism".Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Khan entered Syria without a visa, and later told his family he was "accused of treating dying civilians, (women and children), which has been classed as an act of terrorism".
His family has revealed a letter in which Dr Khan talked of his optimism at being released, and his hopes of being home in time for Christmas.His family has revealed a letter in which Dr Khan talked of his optimism at being released, and his hopes of being home in time for Christmas.
Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to Dr Khan's mother Fatima on 20 December, calling his death a "sickening and appalling tragedy".Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to Dr Khan's mother Fatima on 20 December, calling his death a "sickening and appalling tragedy".
Earlier, the Foreign Office had said the doctor had been "in effect murdered" by the Syrian authorities and at best his death was "extremely suspicious". The Foreign Office has said the doctor had been "in effect murdered" by the Syrian authorities and at best his death was "extremely suspicious".
Officials said they had "consistently sought" consular access to Dr Khan and information on his detention, directly and through the Russians, Czechs and others.Officials said they had "consistently sought" consular access to Dr Khan and information on his detention, directly and through the Russians, Czechs and others.
But Dr Khan's brother, Shahnawaz, criticised the UK government for not doing enough to secure his brother's freedom.But Dr Khan's brother, Shahnawaz, criticised the UK government for not doing enough to secure his brother's freedom.
He said the Foreign Office had treated his case as if he was a "wayward traveller in Dubai being caught drunk".He said the Foreign Office had treated his case as if he was a "wayward traveller in Dubai being caught drunk".
He welcomed Mr Cameron's letter but said the prime minister must now "follow through" and use every possible method to get "answers" for the family and bring to justice "those who have murdered my brother".
The Syrian government, meanwhile, has told Dr Khan's family it could send a team to Damascus to investigate his death. It also said it would share the findings of its own post-mortem examination with the family.The Syrian government, meanwhile, has told Dr Khan's family it could send a team to Damascus to investigate his death. It also said it would share the findings of its own post-mortem examination with the family.