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UK probes British Muslim`s death in Syria
UK counter-terrorism officials are investigating the death of another British Muslim man believed to have been killed in strife-torn Syria.
London: UK counter-terrorism officials are investigating the death of another British Muslim man believed to have been killed in strife-torn Syria.
Amateur boxer Anil Khalil Raoufi lived in Didsbury, Manchester in northwest England, and is believed to have died after travelling to the war zone.
Police are speaking to the 20-year-old`s family "to understand how a man from the northwest came to be reportedly killed in Syria".
It is thought Raoufi had travelled to Syria with other men from the city of Manchester and the BBC reported that prayers have been said for him at his local mosque.
The news comes after reports of the death of a man from West Sussex, in south England, thought to be Britain`s first suicide bomber.
The home of Abdul Waheed Majeed in Crawley was searched yesterday by counter-terrorism detectives after he reportedly died in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Detective Chief Inspector Will Chatterton, of the North West Counter-Terrorism Unit said, "As part of the National Prevent Strategy officers are working to assess how people are drawn into travelling to Syria to become involved in conflict and how to prevent others doing the same."
"There is widespread concern about the situation in Syria and other conflict zones and the way that some will be driven to travel there to engage in humanitarian work or to take part in the fighting," he said.
"The best way for people to help is to donate to registered charities with ongoing humanitarian operations in Syria and the region," he said.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was aware of the reports but was unable to comment on the matter.
"We do not have any consular representation in Syria and are unable to confirm any reports," a spokesperson said.
The case comes after Indian-origin British doctor Shah Abbas Khan died in a Syrian prison in December after he travelled to the war-torn country for humanitarian work.
The 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from south London was found dead in his cell just days before the Syrian government had said he would be freed.
Khan`s family insist he was murdered while the Syrian authorities claim he took his own life.
Police are speaking to the 20-year-old`s family "to understand how a man from the northwest came to be reportedly killed in Syria".
It is thought Raoufi had travelled to Syria with other men from the city of Manchester and the BBC reported that prayers have been said for him at his local mosque.
The news comes after reports of the death of a man from West Sussex, in south England, thought to be Britain`s first suicide bomber.
The home of Abdul Waheed Majeed in Crawley was searched yesterday by counter-terrorism detectives after he reportedly died in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Detective Chief Inspector Will Chatterton, of the North West Counter-Terrorism Unit said, "As part of the National Prevent Strategy officers are working to assess how people are drawn into travelling to Syria to become involved in conflict and how to prevent others doing the same."
"There is widespread concern about the situation in Syria and other conflict zones and the way that some will be driven to travel there to engage in humanitarian work or to take part in the fighting," he said.
"The best way for people to help is to donate to registered charities with ongoing humanitarian operations in Syria and the region," he said.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was aware of the reports but was unable to comment on the matter.
"We do not have any consular representation in Syria and are unable to confirm any reports," a spokesperson said.
The case comes after Indian-origin British doctor Shah Abbas Khan died in a Syrian prison in December after he travelled to the war-torn country for humanitarian work.
The 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from south London was found dead in his cell just days before the Syrian government had said he would be freed.
Khan`s family insist he was murdered while the Syrian authorities claim he took his own life.