Posted on 05/19/2003 3:39:15 AM PDT by Raphael
Israeli authorities have confirmed that a body found on a Tel Aviv beach is a Briton suspected of involvement in a suicide bombing. The body of Omar Khan Sharif, 27, was identified by medical officials and security sources.
His body was found on a beach near Tel Aviv last week and was identified by DNA samples provided by British detectives.
The Briton was believed to have run away from a pub in Tel Aviv after his alleged accomplice and fellow Briton Asif Hanif blew himself up, killing three people.
Israeli authorities had been hunting Mr Sharif since the bombing on 30 April.
Passports
The Britons were identified by passports the Israelis claimed to have found at the scene.
After the bombing, Mr Sharif's picture was on the front of every Israeli newspaper.
Their alleged involvement sparked fears that young Muslims were being recruited in the UK to carry out suicide bombings in the Middle East.
But Muslim leaders condemned the attacks.
Arrests
Iqbal Sacranie, of the Muslim Council of Britain said the "loss of innocent life is against the laws of humanity".
Asif Mohammed Hanif, 21, was described as "honourable and very polite" by the imam of Hounslow mosque in west London which he attended.
His brother described him as a "teddy bear" and said the family was in shock at his death.
The Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist squad has been investigating in Derby and London as a result of the bombing.
Three members of Mr Sharif's family were arrested after the bomb blast, and charged with failing to disclose information about a terrorist act.
Sharif's wife Tahira Shad Tabassum, 27, and brother Zahid Hussain Sharif, 46, had been held in custody since their arrest a fortnight ago but were granted bail at a brief appearance at London's Old Bailey Court on Friday.
His sister Parveef Akther Sharif, 35, who also faces the more serious charge of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring acts of terrorism overseas, remains in custody.
All three are due to appear in court again next week.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Well, that's a relief! His brother described him as a "teddy bear" and said the family was in shock at his death.
...but not shocked at his act!
Looks like they found him. Shame he couldn't swim better.
He was a honor student... but obviously not on the swim team.
"People are unsure how he could have ended up drowned and many have speculated whether he may have been captured, tortured or even killed by the Israeli security services", he said.
Maybe that implies he was drowned, but maybe it doesn't. If the article identifies the cause of death anywhere, I missed it. Can you point me to the sentence, please?
Didn't realize he was from Fla :)
Of course, he is referring to the suicide bombers.
They only condemned the attacks because it wasn't Palie Bombers doing the work.
Wah wah... somebody took our bombing site.
Do I have to pick just one or is this a multiple choice question?
Overcome with the weight of his remorse, no doubt.
-archy-/-
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