LEE: Police re-appeal six months after Abdel Salam murder (From News Shopper)

LEE: Police re-appeal six months after Abdel Salam murder

8:19am Monday 13th September 2010 in News

SIX months on from the murder of a human rights worker, police are re-appealing for witnesses and offering a £20,000 reward for information.

Leading human rights campaigner Abdel Salam Hassan Abdel Salam was found dead in his ground-floor flat in Boone Street, Lee, at around 7.10am on March 13 after a neighbour noticed his door was ajar.

Paramedics pronounced the 56-year-old Sudanese lawyer dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as blood loss from a stab wound to his leg.

Mr Abdel Salam, who used two sticks to walk, worked at a charity called Redress, a human rights organisation which helps torture survivors.

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain said: "Six months into this investigation and we still are unclear as to why Abdel Salam was murdered.

“There is a £20,000 reward on offer and we want to hear from anyone with information - no matter how insignificant it may seem.

"We believe that the answer to this murder lies within the local community of Lewisham and we want to get people talking about this again.

“We continue to keep an open mind as to the motive but need people to come forward to assist with this investigation.

"This was a brutal attack on a defenceless man, made more tragic as Abdel Salam had devoted much of his life combating abuse of human rights upon others."

Anyone with information should call the police on 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on March 17 on suspicion of murder and burglary.

He has been bailed to return to a south London police station later this month pending further enquiries.

Officers arrested a 29-year-old man on March 18 on suspicion of murder and he has also been bailed pending further enquiries.