London24
Friday, December 14, 2012
Abdullahi Ibrahim, 43, who died in jail in Somaliland
A heartbroken daughter who claims her mentally ill father was beaten to death by prison guards in Somaliland has spoken of her fight for justice.
Abdullahi Ibrahim, who was schizophrenic, died in police custody on the night of November 28, just hours before he was due to stand trial after running over a police officer.
His daughter, Khadra Ibrahim, said she had faxed through medical records of his condition that night in an effort to ensure a fair hearing, and claims prison guards killed her father to ensure his punishment was “an eye for an eye”.
Mr Ibrahim had been receiving medical help for mental health problems since moving to London in the early 1990s. He had stopped taking his medication during a six month visit to Somaliland to administer his father’s estate, and was described by his family as “a very ill man”.
His 26-year-old daughter Khadra, who lives in Bow, said: “My father’s human rights have been violated and justice must be served for him.
Khadra Ibrahim wants to find out what happened to her father. Picture: Ron Lamb
“He was murdered by his own country’s government. I want to let the world know what they are doing. We want answers.”
She added that her father, who had eight children, had been a valued member of the community in Tower Hamlets.
Khadra said: “He was such a lovely, lovely father – we couldn’t have asked for a better dad.
“He was the most caring person. Regardless of whether he was ill or not, he was the kindest man.”
Mr Ibrahim was buried in Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia, on Sunday. Foreign Office officials remain in discussions with the British Embassy in neighbouring Ethiopia in an effort to satisfy the family’s demands for justice.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Somaliland and are providing constant assistance to family members through the British embassy in Addis Ababa.”
Foreign Office officials are due to meet Mr Ibrahim’s family this week to update them on the progress of negotiations.