- By Jonny Humphries
- BBC News
2 hours ago
Daniel Burke, who formerly served in the Parachute Regiment, traveled to Ukraine in 2022
A suspect wanted in connection with the death of a British fighter in Ukraine has been named by police.
Former paratrooper Daniel Burke had traveled to Ukraine to help repel Russia’s invasion in 2022.
However, the 36-year-old, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, was 27 miles (44 km) from the frontline when he was shot dead.
Ukrainian authorities have named Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine, also known as “Jihadi Adam”, as a suspect.
The Australian Algerian dual national is believed to have left the area, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
The force said specialists had conducted tests on Mr Burke’s body when it was returned to the UK and had shared their findings with Ukrainian law enforcement.
Mr Burke spent time in prison after going to Syria to fight with Kurdish militia against the so-called Islamic State group
Mr Burke’s family reported him missing on August 16 last year but his body was not recovered until September 16.
When his remains were found in the Zaporizhzhia area, his mother, Diane Sniath, told the BBC: “This is the moment I have been dreading.”
Zak Golombek, area coroner for Manchester, said at the opening to an inquest into Mr Burke’s death on Monday that the case was being treated as homicide.
GMP confirmed that Ukrainian officials had contacted them and shared the name of the suspect.
Det Supt Lewis Hughes, from the force’s serious crime division, said: “Those closest to Daniel remain at the heart of our involvement in this case.
“Everything in our power continues to be done to assist the investigation team in Ukraine.”
The BBC spoke to Mr Burke in 2020, shortly after he had been released from prison, where he had been on remand with terrorism offences.
He described feeling “confused and frustrated” at being arrested in 2019 for fighting alongside Kurdish militia, the YPG in Syria, despite the group being an ally of the UK at the time.
Mr Burke, who served in the Parachute Regiment between 2007 and 2009, spent eight months behind bars before the case was dropped.
He said he had been inspired to fight against the so-called Islamic State after the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Det Supt Lewis said: “The opening of the inquest into Daniel’s death last month was an important step forward in the journey to ensure that Daniel’s family receive the answers they deserve.
“Nothing will bring Daniel back, but regardless of how long the process may take, we remain committed to doing all we can to help gain justice for Daniel and his family.”
