British police started investigation into the death of a Muslim cleric who was bludgeoned to death in a children’s playground. The police are examining CCTV footage which shows three men running near the scene of the crime shortly afterwards.
Former Imam Jalal Uddin suffered major head injuries as he was walking home after a meal at a friend’s house following evening prayers on Thursday in Rochdale.
The 64-year-old was found by a passerby and treated by a paramedic in the playground.
Harrowing video footage released online shows the former imam’s desperate final moments before he was taken to hospital where he later died.
Police investigating the attack are keeping open the possibility that Bangladeshi-born Uddin was the victim of a hate crime.
The men in the CCTV images are wearing hoodies and their ages and ethnicity are unclear.
Local Councillor Ali Ahmed said of Uddin: ‘We all knew him as a nice person, who had no trouble with anyone. Everyone in the community is in shock.’
Detective Chief Inspector Terry Crompton, of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Crime Division, said: ‘We are still working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding how Jalal came to suffer his injuries and we are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this attack.’
source : abna24
