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  1. National

Inquest continues into death of British doctor in Syria

The inquest into the death of a British doctor who died in Syrian custody days before he was due to be freed and returned to the UK continues today.

Dr Abbas Khan, a 32 year old surgeon, died in December 2013 having been held by the Syrian authorities since November 2012.

He had travelled to Syria to offer medical help to victims of the civil war but was detained within two days of arriving in the country.

Yesterday - the first day of the three-week hearing - his wife Hannah described how she and her husband, who she described as "my whole life, my family, best friend and love" had been planning how they and their two children would enjoy their lives together when he was eventually freed.

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  1. Emma Murphy

British doctor always had 'a humanitarian streak'

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.

Dr Abbas Khan died in Syrian custody Credit: ITV News/Family handout

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.

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