Ex-British soldier Daniel Burke was unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
A former British paratrooper was unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone who claimed to be his friend, a coroner has concluded.
Daniel Burke died from multiple gunshot wounds last year after he went to Ukraine in 2022 to offer humanitarian support in the country’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
The 36-year-old, from the Wythenshawe area of Manchester, was staying in the Zaporizhzhia region in August 2023 when he went missing, Manchester Coroner’s Court was told on Friday.
A “suspect”, who was not named at the hearing but is known by Greater Manchester Police to be Abdelfetah Nourine – also known by the nickname “Jihadi Adam” – led Ukrainian authorities to his body in September last year and claimed he had shot him by accident.
Daniel Burke’s family said he had “the most infectious smile”
Coroner Zak Golombek said: “Daniel was unlawfully killed by someone who purported to be his friend.
“He died with bravery and valour but was killed by cowardice and dishonour.”
Ukrainian authorities investigating Mr Burke’s death found he had been at a target practice away from the frontline with Mr Nourine, an Australian-Algerian dual national.
Mr Burke was not seen again and a few weeks later the missing persons investigation turned into a murder inquiry after Mr Nourine was questioned.
Mr Burke set up a group of military personnel who went to the frontline in Ukraine and had also previously travelled to Syria
He claimed he had fired at least two shots – one accidentally while he was carrying Mr Burke and the second apparently out of mercy.
However, the coroner said he did not believe that versions of events, based on forensic tests and a post-mortem.
Mr Nourine has since fled Ukraine and his whereabouts are unknown.
Police said Mr Burke’s family “deserved answers”
Killed by a ‘comrade’
Detective Sergeant Danielle Bullivant told the inquest that Mr Burke – who previously served in the Parachute Regiment – had set up Dark Angels, a group of military personnel who went to the frontline to evacuate the injured.
She confirmed the suspect, “Jihadi Adam”, had been working with Mr Burke in Ukraine and they were “comrades”.
The court heard a post-mortem examination found Mr Burke had been shot at least three times – in his head, lower neck and chest.
Ms Bullivant said results of ballistics investigations in Ukraine suggested it was impossible to accidentally fire the weapon, an AKS74U.
‘Still yearning for answers’
Greater Manchester Police read a statement on behalf of Mr Burke’s family, who said they “have never and will never be the same” and are still “yearning for answers”.
They added: “As a family, we cannot do this alone.
“We are hopeful that the Ukraine authorities will progress the investigation into Daniel’s death, and we hope one day we will be able to say that we have justice for Daniel.
“Daniel had the most infectious smile and he loved making others laugh. This is how we will remember him and keep his memory alive.”
Read more:
Prince Andrew’s ‘close confidant’ barred from UK
Trump Ukraine comments ‘in line with our vision’, says Kremlin
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes said the force’s “deepest condolences” were with Mr Burke’s family and friends.
He added: “We hope that today’s ruling of unlawful killing goes some way in reassuring Daniel’s family and loved ones that this wasn’t an accident.
“Daniel was killed and his family deserve answers.”
A new aid system has opened its first distribution centres in Gaza, according to a US-backed organisation dealing with supplies.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began its operations in the territory on Monday, following the resignation of its director, Jake Wood, over its independence.
Gaza’s 2.3m population has been pushed towards famine by Israel’s almost three-month blockade.
Boxes of aid to be distributed across Rafah. Pic: Reuters.
The GHF said lorryloads of food – it did not say how many – had been delivered to its hubs, and distribution to Palestinians had begun.
“More trucks with aid will be delivered tomorrow, with the flow of aid increasing each day,” it said in a statement.
The controversial group, backed by Israel and the United States, has been rejected by the United Nations and other aid groups.
Follow the latest developments in our live blog
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
People line up for food in Gaza
UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF.
They claim Israel is weaponising food, and the new distribution system will be ineffective and lead to further displacement of Palestinians.
They also argue the GHF will fail to meet local needs, and violates humanitarian principles that prohibit a warring party from controlling humanitarian assistance.
In the meantime, scores of Palestinians in Gaza, like Islam Abu Taima, have resorted to searching through rubbish to find food.
Palestinians are having to search through rubbish to find food
She found a small pile of cooked rice, scraps of bread, and a box with a few pieces of cheese inside it – which she said she will serve to her five children.
“We’re dying of hunger,” she told the Associated Press news agency.
“If we don’t eat, we’ll die.”
Islam Abu Taeima finds a piece of bread in a pile of rubbish in Gaza City. Pic: AP.
It is unclear how many of the GHF’s aid trucks will enter Gaza.
It claims it will reach one million Palestinians by the end of the week.
There are questions, however, over who is funding it and how it will work.
Trucks transporting aid for Palestinians in Rafah. Pic: Reuters.
It has been set up as part of an Israeli plan – rather than a UN distribution effort.
Israel, which suggested a similar plan earlier this year, has said it will not be involved in distributing the aid but supported the plan and would provide security.
It says aid deliveries into Gaza are taken by Hamas instead of going to civilians.
Aid groups, however, say there is no evidence of this happening on a systemic basis.
Read more from Sky News:
Russia accuses Trump of ’emotional overload’
King urged to seek Canadian apology
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Israel began to allow a limited amount of food into Gaza last week – after a blockade that prevented food, medicine, fuel and other goods from entering the Palestinian enclave.
A letter has been signed by hundreds of judges and lawyers calling on the UK government to impose trade sanctions on Israel.
It also calls for Israeli ministers to be sanctioned and the suspension of Israel from the UN over “serious breaches of international law”.
“Genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or that, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide,” the letter says.
The Israeli government has repeatedly dismissed allegations of genocide in Gaza.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
At least 31 dead after school attack
More than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its ground invasion of Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, following the deadly attacks by the militant group on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw around 250 people taken hostage.
The health ministry’s figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters in Gaza.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are being urged to use their visit to Canada to seek an apology for the abuse of British children.
Campaigners have called on them to pursue an apology for the “dire circumstances” suffered by so-called “Home Children” over decades.
More than 100,000 were shipped from orphan homes in the UK to Canada between 1869 and 1948 with many used as cheap labour, typically as farm workers and domestic servants. Many were subject to mistreatment and abuse.
Canada has resisted calls to follow the UK and Australia in apologising for its involvement in child migrant schemes.
King Charles and Mark Carney on Monday. Pic: PA
Campaigners for the Home Children say the royal visit presents a “great opportunity” for a change of heart.
“I would ask that King Charles uses his trip to request an apology,” John Jefkins told Sky News.
John’s father Bert was one of 115,000 British Home Children transported to Canada, arriving in 1914 with his brother Reggie.
“It’s really important for the Home Children themselves and for their descendants,” John said.
“It’s something we deserve and it’s really important for the healing process, as well as building awareness of the experience of the Home Children.
“They were treated very, very badly by the Canadian government at the time. A lot of them were abused, they were treated horribly. They were second-class citizens, lepers in a way.”
More on this story:
The forgotten legacy of British children sent to Canada
John Jefkins
John added: “I think the King’s visit provides a great opportunity to reinforce our campaign and to pursue an apology because we’re part of the Commonwealth and King Charles is a new Head of the Commonwealth meeting a new Canadian prime minister. It’s a chance, for both, to look at the situation with a fresh eye.
“There’s much about this visit that looks on our sovereignty and who we are as Canadians, rightly so.
“I think it’s also right that in contemplating the country we built, we focus on the people who built it, many in the most trying of circumstances.”
The issue was addressed by the then Prince of Wales during a tour of Canada in May 2022. He said at the time: “We must find new ways to come to terms with the darker and more difficult aspects of the past.”
More from Sky News:
Watch: Why is King’s Canada visit so important?
Analysis: King is ‘piggy in the middle’ in Canada-US stand-off
King Charles and Queen Camilla are on a two-day visit to Canada.
On Tuesday, the King will deliver the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th session of Canada’s parliament.
Camilla was made Patron of Barnardo’s in 2016. The organisation sent tens of thousands of Home Children to Canada. She took on the role, having served as president since 2007.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
A spokesperson for the Canadian government said: “The government of Canada is committed to keeping the memory of the British Home Children alive.
“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada deeply regrets this unjust and discriminatory policy, which was in place from 1869 to 1948. Such an approach would have no place in modern Canada, and we must learn from past mistakes.”
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway