UK work with Egypt over Egyptian citizen’s death in UK

[DJKeefy]

UK "working with Egyptian government" to determine circumstances of Egyptian citizen’s death in UK.

The British Embassy in Cairo said on Wednesday it is "closely following" the case related to the death of a 21-year-old Egyptian Sherif Adel Habib in London.

In an official statement, the embassy said it is “working with the Egyptian government in London and Cairo."

“The Metropolitan police are now working quickly to determine the circumstances of this man’s death. The UK government will be in close contact with the MFA and the Egyptian consulate in London today to receive and respond to any specific requests from the Egyptian authorities and the family," an embassy spokesperson said.

University of Greenwich's 21-year-old mechanical engineering graduate Habib was rescued from a garage blaze in Cranleigh Gardens, Southall, during the early hours of Monday and was taken to a specialist burns hospital in Essex, where he was then pronounced dead.

According to the Metropolitan Police, a man in 20s was arrested "on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life."

He has been bailed to a date in mid-June pending further enquiries.

“Further information about the investigation will remain a matter for the Metropolitan Police, under the requirements of UK law and the approach necessary to maximise the chances of achieving justice in the courts in this case," the UK embassy spokesman commented.

Sherif's sister, Randa Habib, told British media outlets that her brother was meant to present his documents at UK's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst the day he died.

"He always wanted to go and graduate as an officer,” Randa said.

Sherif's father told state-owned MENA agency that "he won't leave his son's right," stressing that he would escalate the case to the UK Prime Minister.

On Tuesday, Egypt’s presidency mourned the death of Habib in London and called on UK authorities to intensify their investigations and identify and arrest the culprits, a statement read.

The presidency added that Habib’s family had the right to know the reasons behind his death and ensure that justice is served.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/204543.aspx

[newcastle]

"The presidency added that Habib’s family had the right to know the reasons behind his death and ensure that justice is served."

Nothing if not ironic!

[Major Thom]

it will be interesting to see how long this investigation will take, but Egypt can be sure that the British Investigators will be transparent, and the answers will come quick. If there is a perpetrator he to will be dealt with fast. That is the British way of life.