Family of British doctor maintain that he was murdered by Syrian regime, as more aid convoys head to conflict-ridden country.
Members of the Lebanese Red Cross with the coffin of Abbas Khan in Beirut: Syrian officials say the doctor hung himself in his cell. Photograph: Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images
The body of a British doctor who died in custody in Syria is being flown back to the UK.
Dr Abbas Khan, 32, was on the verge of being released when his family were told of his death by what the Syrian government calls suicide and they claim was political murder.
The orthopaedic surgeon from London was captured in November 2012 in the ancient city of Aleppo after travelling from Turkey to help victims of hospital bombings.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it transported Khan’s body from Damascus to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where it was received by his mother, Fatima Khan, and British officials.
Mrs Khan, who has refuted claims that her son killed himself “110%”, broke down in tears when the coffin arrived.
“The national security intelligence of Syria, they killed him!” she screamed. “They’re murderers!”
The ICRC said it expected the British embassy to fly Khan’s body to London “rapidly”.
Mrs Khan has categorically denied claims made by Syria’s deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, that her son had killed himself. In thepast few days the family revealed a letter in which the doctor expressed his optimism at being released, and his hopes of being home in time for Christmas.
A convoy of British doctors headed for Syria despite Khan’s death.
The Observer reported aid groups refused to be deterred as a fleet of more than 40 ambulances carrying medical volunteers and supplies left on an eight-day journey to Syria. Several vehicles had “RIP Dr Abbas Khan” written on their sides.
Dr Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar, from Manchester, said: “It’s really tragic that we lost Dr Khan, but even his family have said there are hundreds dying in Syria every day and so many doctors and medical staff just want to help.
“People have been asking, ‘why are we going?’ The question is why aren’t we doing more? The work of UK charities is a drop in the ocean, but I’d rather be part of that than do nothing.
“The timing of Dr Khan’s death is very deliberate by the regime. They know the holiday season means the aid convoys will be coming and it was a very symbolic act – don’t come or look what we will do.”
Dr Islam-Zulfiqar will be on board the convoy, funded by the Worcester-based charity Al Fatiha Global and the Aid4Syria campaign.