The funeral of a 32-year-old Indian-origin British doctor who died under mysterious circumstances in a Syrian prison will take place here.
Shah Abbas Khan was days from being freed when the Syrian government announced on December 17 that he had committed suicide.
His family, however, believes he was murdered.
The orthopaedic surgeon from south London was arrested within 48 hours of arriving in Syria in November last year to work in a field hospital in a rebel-controlled area.
His funeral will take place at Regent’s Park Mosque in central London today before his body is taken to Ilford in east London for burial.
“Anyone who wishes to pay their respects is welcome to attend,” Khan’s family released a statement via their solicitor Nabeel Sheikh on Christmas Day.
Khan’s body was flown back to London on Sunday and a second post-mortem examination took place earlier this week.
Lawyer Michael Mansfield has been advising his family and has been asked to represent them should the coroner decide there will be an inquest.
Khan entered Syria without a visa, and later told his family he was “accused of treating dying civilians (women and children), which has been classed as an act of terrorism”.
His family has said they possess a letter in which Khan talked of his optimism at being released, and his hopes of being home in time for Christmas.
British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to Khan’s mother Fatima last week, calling his death a “sickening and appalling tragedy”.
Khan leaves behind his wife, a seven-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.