Monday, December 17, 2012

Family's plea over Somaliland custody death

Family's plea over Somaliland custody death

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The family of a man who died in police custody in East Africa is demanding answers about his death.

Abdullahi Ibrahim, 43, from Bow in east London, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, died on a visit to an area called Somaliland.

He died on 28 November, hours before he was due to stand trial for running over a police officer.

BBC London has been unable to contact the authorities in the self-declared independent Somaliland for a response.

Mr Ibrahim's family said local officials were looking into the case.

His daughter Khadra, 26, said: "He was the most generous man you could come across.

Faxed medical records

"He helped everybody and anybody. Anyone who knows him in the community would tell you he was a lovely man."

Mr Ibrahim was visiting relatives when his family said his medical condition deteriorated and he was arrested.

His daughter faxed over his medical records hoping the authorities would recognise him as being mentally ill and spare him a possible death sentence.

Mr Ibrahim's daughter claimed he had bruises on his body and his teeth were missing.

"No-one has been arrested, no-one has been accused of anything," she said.

"We want justice for my father."

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said it was in discussions with the British Embassy in neighbouring Ethiopia about the death and providing assistance to the family.

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