Yahoo News Parsons Green terror suspect a 'good guy who likes smoking, girls and nightclubs', says family
A cousin of one of the Parsons Green bomb suspects has claimed he is a “good guy” and not a terrorist.
Abo Zaid Fa, who lives in Greenock in Scotland, said he was shocked to hear that Yahyah Farroukh, 21, was being held by police as part of the terror investigation into the attack.
He told the Scottish Sun that Farroukh “likes to smoke, meet girls and go to clubs” but admitted he had not spoken to his cousin in a while.
They visited each other in London and Scotland, with Farroukh travelling north of the Border in January last year when he enjoyed a ferry trip with Mr Fa and his two young sons.
The Daily Record reported that Farroukh boarded a CalMac ferry at Wemyss Bay in Renfrewshire, before travelling to Rothesay to visit fellow Syrian refugees.
He posed for pictures with a young boy on the ferry, while another photo shows him standing on the deck of the ferry with his hand in his pocket.
Farroukh shared the photographs on social media and wrote: “Had a good time with my cousin.” Mr Fa commented on the post in Arabic and said: “God make you happy, cousin and protect you.”
He paid a return visit to his cousin in London in February 2016 during which they did some sightseeing near the Palace of Westminster.
After his arrest police cordoned off his home just yards from Heathrow Airport in Stanwell, Surrey. The Syrian refugee had previously lived at the home of Ron and Penny Jones, who had been fostering the 18-year-old before his arrest.
Officers also searched Aladdins Fried Chicken in Hounslow. It is understood both Farroukh and Mr Fa originate from Damascus. Mr Fa now lives in a semi-detached council house.
He said: “Yes, he is my cousin. He is a good guy who likes to smoke, meet girls and go to the clubs. I don’t believe he is a terrorist.
“He came to visit me in Scotland last year for one week’s holiday and I have also visited him in London. But I haven’t spoken to him for a while. I don’t know anything about what is going on with the police.”
He added: “My family is very happy here in Scotland. My children go to the local school and they are very frightened by this. We don’t know anything and just want to be left in peace.”
Several Syrian families fleeing the civil war were housed on Bute when they arrived in the UK. One islander, who did not want to be named, told the Record: “Rothesay is a small town and most people are aware that the bomber suspect has been on Bute.
“Everyone is talking about it. He was here visiting friends. He came over on the ferry. There are a number of Syrian families who have come to stay here and there are no problems with them whatsoever.”
