Asylum seeker cries for help ‘ignored by police’ before he died
3 min read
The family of a Somali asylum skeer whose death is being investigated as a murder are demanding answers – claiming police ignored his three reports of alleged racist abuse.
Kunil Nur, 44, was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage when he was found badly injured in Linney Square, Wigan, after midnight on October 4.
He was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where he died six days later on October 10.
Two men and a woman were later arrested on suspicion of murder but have all been bailed pending further enquiries.
Mr Nur’s heartbroken family accused Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Wigan Council of ignoring their beloved dad’s ‘cries for help’ and of ‘letting him down’.
They say the alleged racist abuse he suffered prior to his death was so bad he slept at a friend’s house and asked to move to another property, but Wigan Council deny this.
GMP confirmed Mr Nur reported alleged racial abuse on June 25, September 28 and October 2 – only two days before police found him injured.
Residents near the scene of the incident reported hearing ‘screaming and shouting’ coming from a flat on Linney Square.
In a statement, Mr Nur’s family said: ‘Weeks after his death, the facts of Kunil’s death are still unclear.
‘It is important to us that other families do not have to go through what we have suffered.’
Mr Nur fled Somalia 15 years ago to escape war and volunteered at the SWAP Project, an refugee support organisation in Wigan.
GMP Superintendent Mark Kenny appealed for information and said: ‘Kunil’s tragic death remains the subject of an ongoing murder inquiry and our thoughts are with his family who are being supported by our specialist officers at this utterly devastating time.
‘Also forming part of our investigation is the previous contact Kunil had with police and Wigan Council. The three reports he made to GMP in 2021 are being reviewed as part of the investigation.’
The case was referred to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch for review.
The police investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for Wigan Council added: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to offer sincere condolences to Kunil Nur’s family for the sudden loss of their loved one.
‘Wigan Council prioritises any hate related abuse in all forms and all reported incidents are escalated to relevant agencies.’
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