UK statement on the ‘unlawful killing’ of Dr. Abbas Khan

Speaking today, Tobias Ellwood, Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, said:

The jury in the inquest into Dr Khan’s tragic death today made clear that he was unlawfully killed. There can be no excuse for the reprehensible treatment he suffered at the hands of the Syrian regime. Dr Khan’s family have shown great courage and fortitude throughout this terrible time and our deepest sympathies are with them.

The Foreign Office fully supported the Coroner’s inquest and we will now consider next steps. Dr. Khan’s imprisonment without consular access was unacceptable. The Foreign Office consistently sought access and pressed for his detention to be reviewed including through Ministers and international partners. The Syrian regime ignored these approaches. It can no longer do so. His family deserve answers and those responsible for Dr Khan’s death should be brought to justice.

This is yet another example of the brutal nature of the Syrian regime which has killed thousands of innocent civilians.

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بيان بريطاني حول حكم بأن وفاة الطبيب البريطاني عباس خان في سجون النظام السوري كانت قتلاً غير مشروع، ويؤكد أن لا عذر للمعاملة البشعة التي تعرض لها على يد النظام.