FBI reveals identity of hostage taker in synagogue: UK’s Malik Faisal Akram

COLLEYVILLE, KOMPAS.com – FBI reveal the identity of the man who took four people hostage in a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, United States (US).

Launch Sky News, Sunday (16/1/2022), the man named Malik Faisal Akram and comes from England.

reported Kompas.com before you, hostage it ended when Akram was shot dead by police after holding several people hostage for 10 hours inside the Beth Israel Congregation in Colleyville.

Also read: Man Hostage Synagogue Congregation in US, SWAT Team Deployed

FBI agent Matt Desarno said the SWAT team entered the synagogue around 9 p.m. local time, freed the hostages and killed the suspect.

An investigation is underway and they will work with London police on the case.

Akram is said to be demanding the release of convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqu, known as “Lady Al-Qaeda”.

According to the police, Akram recognized Siddiqu as his sister as reported Daily Mail.

Also read: Hostage in Synagogue in Texas, 4 Hostages Survived, Perpetrator Died

Akram family apologizes to hostages

After Akram was declared dead, his family felt very lost as reported Sky News.

Nevertheless, the Akram family apologized to the hostages and all the victims involved in the hostage-taking.

Akram’s brother, Gulbar, said family members communicated for hours with the man during the incident.

“(Although he) suffers from mental health issues, we believe he will not harm the hostages,” Gulbar said.

Also read: US synagogue hostage taker demands release of Al-Qaeda lady from prison

“There’s nothing we can say or do to him that will convince him to give up,” added Gulbar.

Correspondent Sky News Inzamam Rashid, who has spoken with Gulbar, said that Akram apparently suffers from severe mental health problems.

“He repeated that his brother didn’t want to hurt anyone and he was very sorry about the panic and terror his brother caused in Texas,” Rashid added.

Rashid also said that Gulbar was part of the FBI negotiating team who spoke to Akram.

“He (Gulbar) is trying to get Akram to step down and make sure no harm is caused,” said Rashid.

Also read: Synagogue Tribune Near Jerusalem Collapses, 1 Man and 1 Child Killed

The seconds of the end of the hostage

A hostage was freed after Akram held them in the synagogue for six hours.

The SWAT team was then deployed and entered the building on Saturday (16/1/2022) at around 21.00 local time.

The team managed to shoot Akram dead and free the three hostages who are still being held unharmed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also announced that the remaining hostages will be able to get out alive and safe.

Also read: Synagogue Tribune Near Jerusalem Collapses, Hospital Overwhelmed to Accommodate Victims

Who is Aafia Siddiqui?

Siddiqui is a former scientist from Pakistan who was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a court in New York, USA.

He was convicted of carrying out the attempted assassination of US officers in Afghanistan in 2010.

By the US media, Siddiqui was dubbed the “Lady of Al-Qaeda”. The case sparked outrage in Pakistan.

Siddiqui is currently being held at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) prison in Fort Worth, Texas. Akram is reportedly demanding Siddiqui’s release.

Also read: Canadian Synagogue Accepts Anti-Semitic Threat

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