Inquest continues into death of British doctor in Syria

Former British National Party leader Nick Griffin told an inquest that it was possible the death of Dr Abbas Khan in a Syrian prison, had been made to look like suicide or that he was pressured into killing himself.

Dr Khan, a 32-year-old father-of-two from London, died on 16th December 2013 while in custody in Damascus.

Mr Griffin paid two visits to Syria in June 2013 and August 2013 and said during the first, he spoke about Dr Khan to the minister for information, the prime minister and a high-placed businessman who had President Assad's ear.

In further contact Mr Griffin was told that Dr Khan would be released, however he subsequently heard from Dr Khan's mother who told him: "they have killed him."

Dr Khan's family claim he was murdered, but the Syrian government always maintained that the surgeon killed himself and was found hanging in a jail cell.

Mr Griffin said he believed Dr Khan's death was brought about to prevent his release.

By Emma Murphy: ITV News Correspondent

The wife of a British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison received a text from him saying he was fine and he loved her shortly before he was detained by the Syrian authorities in November 2012.

In a statement read to the inquest into Dr Abbas Khan's death, his wife Hannah described how her husband was, "my whole life, my family, best friend and love."

In the months of his detention they had planned how they and their two children would enjoy their lives together when he was eventually freed.

However he was eventually returned in a coffin after his body was discovered in a cell. The Syrian authorities said he had hanged himself, the family believe he was killed.

In a statement telling of the phone call informing her that her husband was dead, Mrs Khan said: "It did not take my heart a second to imagine my life falling into ruins.

"The emptiness, pain and worry all consumed me at once.

"How can one person be the whole world but when that one person is gone the whole world becomes tasteless and meaningless."

By Emma Murphy: ITV News Correspondent

The mother of a British doctor who died in Syrian custody today collapsed in court as she spoke of her son's final days.

Dr Abbas Khan's mother Fatima, 58, slumped to the floor as she gave evidence at her son's inquest.

She had spent the previous 20 minutes detailing her efforts to secure her son's release. As she reached the last day of his life she appeared to struggle to read her statement and turned to the Coroner asking, "how can someone kill someone like this? How?"

As she left the witness box she lowered herself and lay on the steps until her daughter was able to lead her from the court.

The jury at the Royal Courts of Justice has been told surgeon Dr Abbas Khan had travelled to Syria in November 2012 to treat those injured in the civil war.

He was held in custody until December 2013 when his body was found in his cell. The authorities said he had killed himself. The family believe he was killed.

By Emma Murphy: ITV News Correspondent

The mother of a British doctor found dead in Syria has told an inquest jury her son didn't tell her he was going to Syria as he knew she would "go crazy and scream."

Fatima Mahmood described the moment her son told her he was going abroad.

She told the court, "He said, Mummy I'm going to Turkey, he said goodbye stood in the doorway."

In November 2012 she discovered the doctor had crossed into Syria and gone missing. Describing her reaction when her daughter told her that he had vanished she said, "My hands were shaking, my mind was blank. I did not start crying straight away. I told my husband I cannot go to my son's funeral at this age."

Mrs Khan went on to tell the court how she travelled to Syria alone "to try and rescue my son."

She added, "I did not feel the Foreign Office was not making enough effort to save my son's life."

By Emma Murphy: ITV News Correspondent

A British doctor who died in Syrian custody had travelled to the country to do all he could to help those caught in the civil war, an inquest jury has been told.

Judge Peter Thornton told the seven men and four women that Dr Abbas Khan was an NHS "medical man" who was detained in Aleppo in November as he took a walk.

"There is no evidence or information that Dr Abbas went to fight. On the contrary he wanted to humanitarian and medical aid," Judge Thornton added.

The judge spoke of the super human efforts made by Dr Abbas' family to seek his freedom. He told the jury they would hear the remarkable and moving story which was an anguished but determined mother's story.

Dr Abbas' brother told the court his brother had always had a humanitarian streak and contacted many organisations to offer his help before linking up with Humanitarian Aid UK.