Alkali attacker strolled past Scotland Yard
THE fugitive being hunted over a chemical attack on a mother and her daughters strolled past Scotland Yard just hours afterwards.
Abdul Ezedi was seen on CCTV last Wednesday passing Westminster Pier in front of the police headquarters – where officers were launching a huge manhunt for him.
The extraordinary development came as police revealed that the Afghan suspect could die from his self-inflicted injuries. Police believe Ezedi, 35,
inadvertently splashed himself with a highly corrosive chemical when he hurled alkaline at his former girlfriend in a suspected revenge attack.
His severe facial injuries are at high risk of infection or sepsis and may even be ‘ fatal if not treated’, experts from the National Crime Agency have said.
New footage was released last night that showed the convicted sex offender strolling through crowds of people in Westminster with his hand in his pocket just three hours after the attack.
CCTV shows the hooded figure looking unhurried as he walks towards the Houses of Parliament at around 10.28pm before he crossed over Westminster Bridge.
He was later captured on CCTV passing the perimeter fence of the SIS building – the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service – before he crossed Vauxhall Bridge at 11pm.
Detectives confirmed yesterday that Ezedi had previously been in a relationship with the victim.
The refugee from Newcastle is suspected of luring the victim into a trap, by persuading her to meet him in Clapham, south London, after their relationship had ‘ broken down’. Ezedi set up a meeting with the unsuspecting victim, who may voluntarily have got into his car with her daughters, aged three and eight, before the attack took place at 7.25pm.
The suspect then abandoned the vehicle and fled on the London Underground where his heavily scarred face was captured on CCTV.
Ezedi appears to have then spent hours wandering around the capital near the Thames. Investigators say they are keeping an open mind about whether he could have jumped into the water.
Hundreds of calls have been received from the public with possible sightings, but he has not been seen since that evening and has not used his bank cards. Officers are now relying on CCTV to piece together his movements.
Detectives say there is no evidence suggesting Ezedi made advance preparations to go on the run and he does not appear to have stockpiled any cash.
The suspect left his phone and car at the scene, which is making the search more challenging.
His 31-year-old victim is still critically ill in hospital after suffering severe facial injuries in the attack, and she may lose the sight in her right eye. Her daughters were also hurt but have been discharged from hospital.
Tests revealed that the attacker used a very strong, concentrated corrosive substance.
‘It appears the motivation for this truly awful attack is the breakdown of a relationship,’ said Commander Jon Savell.
‘This was a senseless attack by a dangerous man – we urge anyone with information about Ezedi’s whereabouts to contact us. He is wanted for attempted murder.’ Police believe Ezedi is still in London.
‘The hooded figure looked unhurried’