Inquest opened into death of UK doctor in Syrian prison

Syrian authorities claim that British doctor Dr Abbas Khan was found hanging in his jail cell, an inquest has heard.

During the opening of an inquest today into the 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon's death, Chief Inspector Grant Mallon told Walthamstow Coroner's Court that the Syrian authorities had stated that Dr Khan's body had been found hanging.

The officer said Syrian doctors had determined the cause of death was "asphyxiation by hanging", and had found "no traces of violence or torture".

The coroner adjourned the inquest for a review on February 27 next year.

The inquest opening came a day after a funeral prayer service was held for Dr Khan at a packed Regent's Park mosque in London.

Read: British surgeon dies in Syrian jail after year in custody

An inquest into the death of a British doctor who was found dead in a prison in Syria has been opened and adjourned.

Brother pays tribute to 'star' British doctor who died in a Syrian prison

An inquest is due to be opened into the death of a British doctor who was found dead in his cell in Syria earlier this month.

Dr Abbas Khan was on the verge of being released when he was found dead in his cell, with the Syrian regime claiming he took his own life and his family alleging he was murdered.

The inquest into his death will formally open at 11am this morning at Walthamstow Coroner's court.

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 the conflict.

Read: Brother pays tribute to 'star' British doctor who died in a Syrian prison

The distraught mother of a British surgeon found dead in a Syrian prison said she was a "failure" and told people not to comfort her as she attended her son's funeral.

In a very distressed state outside the mosque, Dr Khan's mother wailed and as well-wishers tried to comfort her, she said: "Nobody help me, I love my son. I am the loser. I'm the failure."

She added: "I beg everybody. I touch everyone's feet. Please give me my son."

A man then wrapped his arm around her and brought her to a car and she was driven away.

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: "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".

Watch - British surgeon's mother: 'Why did they kill my son?'

Dr Abbas Khan's family have released a statement via their solicitor, announcing plans for his funeral and burial.

The funeral of a British doctor who died while being held in custody in Syria will take place today.

Dr Abbas Khan was on the verge of being released when his family were told of his death by what the Syrian government calls suicide and they say was political murder.

The 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from London was captured in November last year in the city of Aleppo after travelling from Turkey to help victims of hospital bombings. His death was announced on December 17.

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