Syrian-born former imam found shot dead in London

A Syrian man living in Britain described as a prominent activist opposed to President Bashar al-Assad was found shot dead in his car in northwest London, the BBC reported Wednesday.
Police were called by paramedics after a man was found with what were thought to be bullet wounds to the chest, the broadcaster said.
"The BBC understands the victim was Abdul Hadi Arwani, a chef and former imam at a London mosque," it reported.
London police did not confirm the identity of the victim, but said a murder investigation was underway after a man in his late 40s was found dead in a car in Wembley on Tuesday.
"Detectives believe they know the identity of the deceased, however formal identification awaits," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
"A post mortem examination will be arranged in due course."
Friends and supporters of Arwani paid tribute to him on social media, and former Guantanamo Bay detainee and activist Moazzam Begg wrote on Twitter "May Allah have mercy on him."