Anniversary Highlights Human Rights Murder

A year on from the murder of a human rights worker in Lewisham, police are still appealing to the public for witnesses and information.

Abdel Salam Hassan Abdel Salam, 56, was found by a neighbour at 7.10am on 13 March 2010 slumped just inside the doorway of his flat in Boon Street, south east London.

A year on from his death, police continue to appeal for information and a reward of up to £20,000 is on offer for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible.

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

On the day of his death, police and the ambulance service attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as blood loss from a stab wound to the leg.

Abdel Salam was black, 5ft 9ins tall and weighed 22 stone; he had short Afro hair, a moustache and glasses. He was an employee at a charity called 'Redress', a human rights organisation that helps torture survivors, where he was well known for his work.

Detective Inspector Graeme Gwyn, from 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 that 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."

(BMcN/GK)