News   /   Reports

Was a British-Somali schoolgirl bullied to death?

Twelve-year-old schoolgirl Shukri Yahya Abdi, who drowned in the river Irwell, in her hometown, near Manchester in July 2019 (file photo)  

Robert Carter
Press TV, Heywood

In the UK, an inquest aiming to discover what caused a 12-year-old Muslim refugee to drown in a river near her home in 2019 has heard some startling testimonies.

A court session opened Monday with Shukri Yahya-Abdi’s grieving mother recalling what happened on the day her daughter never came home. 

In July 2019, the drowned body of 12-year-old schoolgirl, Shukri Yahya Abdi, was found at the river Irwell, in her hometown, near Manchester.  The original police investigation into her death found that it was an accident, however, following renewed accusations of bullying by four other children and even possible manslaughter, combined with public backlash from the Somalian community, the investigation was reopened. 

The first session gave Shukris mother the chance to provide evidence before the children, whose identities have been protected from the press, will also address the court throughout the week, although the grieving mother was forced to relive the ordeal once again.

On Monday, Shukri’s mother Zamzam Ture addressed the inquest. The inquest heard how Shukri’s mother, initially feared kidnap when her daughter didn’t return home and how she desperately searched her local area before calling police. Her daughter was also known to be bullied. Speaking to the family solicitor, he explained how the loss still caused great suffering.

The inquest will continue throughout the week, and the group of children who allegedly bullied Shukri will all be asked to give evidence.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku