Streatham's MP has called for the body of Dr Abbas Khan to be repatriated to the UK after he died in a Syrian prison yesterday.
Dr Khan, a Streatham man who travelled to the civil war-ridden country during a sabbatical after working at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, had been locked up for months and subjected to torture and beatings.
The Syrian Government said Dr Khan took his own life but his family insist he was killed by the regime.
After writing to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, Streatham MP Chuka Umunna (pictured) said Syria should immediately honour their request to repatriate his body.
Mr Umunna said: "It was with great sorrow that I learned of the loss of my constituent, Dr Abbas Khan, whilst he was in the hands of the Syrian regime.
"He leaves behind a young family, and the thoughts and prayers of the whole community are with them during what will be a time of great pain and distress.
"For over 12 months now, I have been in contact with members of his family and the Foreign Office, trying to do what I can to assist the family as they have tried to secure his release.
"His family have made it very clear to me that they believe he was killed by the Syrian regime.
"Their priority now is to secure the repatriation of his body and I see no reason why that request cannot be honoured by the Syrian regime immediately.
"I have written formally this morning to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, asking him to give his urgent attention to securing this repatriation.
"I have also asked him to meet with Dr Khan’s family so that they can discuss the handling of this matter by the Foreign Office with him."
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