British Muslim family of 12 are feared to be in Syria
A British family of 12, including two grandparent and a one year old baby is feared to have traveled to Syria after going missing in Turkey.
Police are investigating the disappearance of the Luton family consisting of children as well as grandparents who were due to fly back from their holiday via Istanbul, Turkey but have failed to show up. The family, which is accompanied by elderly grandparents with medical problems, was reported missing by relatives in Britain.
A police statement said: “There is a suggestion that the family may have gone to Syria. However, police have so far been unable to corroborate that information.”
Concerned relatives in their hometown say they fear the family may have been tricked into travelling to ISIL-controlled parts of Syria.
The missing 12 have been identified as Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, his wife, cancer-sufferer, Minera Khatun, 53. Their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, and his wife Sheida Khanam, 27, Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, and three children aged between one and 11.
Counter-terrorism officials are believed to be helping the investigation.
The group of Bangladeshi origin, left the UK on the 10th April, and were expected to visit Bangladesh via Turkey, Istanbul. Following their month-long stay in Bangladesh, the group returned to Turkey but have vanished off the radar since.
In a statement the family said: “We are devastated by the disappearance of these 12 and are very concerned for their safety. This is completely out of character and we are very worried of the danger they may now be in.”
“Muhammed Abdul Mannan is elderly and both he and Minera Khatun have health issues.
This just does not make any sense. We can only think they have been tricked into going there; it is no place for elderly or young people.”
“We would urge any of them to please make contact with us or the police to let us know they are ok.”
