Police appeal for information a year on from human rights campaigner's murder (From News Shopper)

Police appeal a year on from murder of human rights campaigner Abdel Salam Hassan Abdel Salam

9:46am Friday 11th March 2011 in News By Kelly Smale

A YEAR on from the murder of a human rights campaigner, police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and offering a £20,000 reward for information.

Abdel Salam Hassan Abdel Salam was found dead in his ground-floor flat in Boone Street, Lee, at around 7.10am on March 13 last year 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.

Police are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible.

Abdel Salam was well known in the area and would be seen walking with two sticks, often travelling by mini cab or bus to the charity he worked at in central London.

He was black, 5ft 9ins tall and weighed 22 stone.

He had short Afro hair, a moustache and glasses and was an employee at a charity called Redress, a human rights organisation which helps torture survivors.

Detective Inspector Graeme Gwyn, from the Homicide and Serious Crime command said: "On the anniversary of his death our thoughts are with his family and friends, who have to live with the loss of Abdel Salam.

“It is clear that 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.

"We continue to appeal to the public to come forward as we believe the answer to this crime lies within the local community.

“We remain committed to bringing the person or persons who are responsible for this man's death to justice.

“I would ask anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward and speak to us."

Abdel Salam’s family, friends and neighbours will be holding a commemorative day tomorrow from 3pm to 7pm outside his home.

On March 17 and March 18 last year two men were arrested in connection with the enquiry and bailed to return. They have since had their bail cancelled.

On December 15 last year a 46-year-old man was arrested in connection with the inquiry and has since been released with no further action.

A 36-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the inquiry on December 15 last year and has been bailed to a date at the end of this month.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.