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Family Of 12 Feared To Have Gone To Syria

Family Of 12 Feared To Have Gone To Syria

A family of 12 people from Luton may have travelled to Syria after failing to return from a holiday in Bangladesh.

The group flew to Bangladesh from Heathrow on 10 April and were due to fly back via Istanbul, the first port of call in Turkey for many would-be jihadi recruits heading to Syria, on 14 May.

They were named as Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, his wife Minera Khatun, 53, of Spencer Road, Luton, their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, his wife Sheida Khanam, 27, Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, along with three children, aged between one and 11.

In a statement, relatives of the missing said: "We are devastated by the disappearance of these 12 and are very concerned for their safety.

"This is completely out of character and we are very worried of the danger they may now be in.

"Muhammed Abdul Mannan is elderly and both he and Minera Khatun have health issues.

"This just does not make any sense. We can only think they have been tricked into going there, it is no place for elderly or young people.

"We would urge any of them to please make contact with us or the police to let us know they are ok."

Ashuk Ahmed, who has known the family for 30 years, said their were suggestions in the community that a woman in the group may have been "radicalised".

"The family was under the impression they were travelling to Bangladesh. It was planned as a genuine family visit," he said.

"I believe they stopped in Turkey on the way back.

"The community is in shock. The boys were all running successful businesses."

He added that he had heard one of the group had contacted relatives two weeks ago and said they "were all safe".

Bedfordshire Police said they were investigating the disappearance and urged anyone with information to call them on 101.

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