Brother pays tribute to 'star' British doctor who died in a Syrian prison
The brother of a British doctor who was found dead in a Syrian prison has paid a moving tribute to him, describing him as "our star."
Dr Abbas Khan was on the verge of being released when he was found dead, with the Syrian regime claiming he took his own life and his family alleging he was murdered.
The 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from London was captured in November last year in the ancient city of Aleppo after travelling from Turkey to help victims of hospital bombings. His death was announced on December 17.
At a packed funeral prayer service at Regent's Park mosque in London, his brother Shahnawaz Khan said:
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".
Ben Chapman reports:
The doctor's mother Fatima has dismissed a claim by Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad that her son killed himself.
Earlier this month, 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.
Dr Abbas leaves behind wife Hanna, 30, son Abdullah, six, and daughter, Rurayya, seven.