Jihadis tricked way into base in Syria to kill UK filmmaker
A BRITISH filmmaker died in a hail of bullets when Islamic State jihadis disguised as allies tricked their way into a compound near Raqqa in Syria, an inquest was told.
Turkish-born Mehmet Aksoy, 32, who lived in Luton, travelled to the war zone last June and joined the Kurds as a press officer.
He died with a woman photojournalist outside a media centre last September, North London coroner’s court heard.
Mr Aksoy was shot six times by the jihadis who had tricked their way into the Kurdish People’s Protection Units compound by wearing Syrian Democratic Forces uniforms.
He was covering the battle to retake Raqqa from IS, with friends saying he wanted to “bring attention to the fight against that evil”.
IS killers in disguise drove into the base in three vehicles at 8am on September 26, the inquest heard.
The gunmen opened fire, killing Mr Aksoy, the photojournalist and guards before being shot themselves.
A pathologist said Mr Aksoy died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Coroner Andrew Walker ruled he was unlawfully killed.
Detective Constable Tim Johnson said that when Metropolitan Police heard of his death, it contacted the Kurdish militia, which sent a report.
DC Johnson said: “Mr Aksoy was in front of a building for journalists in a well-protected and secure area.
“He passed away a few seconds after being shot”.
The account was corroborated by a friend of Mr Aksoy’s and in a video produced by British fighter Jack Holmes.
Mr Aksoy’s father Kalender, 55, said: “I will always remember my son as a very good person. Until I die, I will be proud of him.”
He studied at Goldsmiths university in London and is buried at Highgate cemetery in the capital.