Birmingham doctor to go to Syria to find children
A doctor who claims her husband abducted their two children is leaving behind life in Birmingham to focus her search in Syria.
Dr Yusra Abo Hamed has not seen her sons Sami, aged seven, and Rami, aged three, since they went to stay with their father last December.
The 40-year old, who was a public health specialist for Dudley Primary Care Trust, alleges that Dr Bassam Odeh, a former NHS doctor at Birmingham City Hospital, took the children to his native Syria, despite not having permission to do so.
Worried about her husband’s actions Dr Abo Hamed said she warned police and the immigration office but despite being on the alert system and ensuring their passports were with solicitors Dr Odeh, 48, was able to take them out of the country with Syrian travel documents.
Dr Abo Hamed, who has given up her home and job to search, broke down in tears as she described her ordeal. “I miss my children so much. I have not seen them for nine months and it doesn’t get any easier,” she said.
“I have been to Syria but haven’t been able to find them. I came back to Birmingham to organise a few things and although I will keep some ties here I will be moving to Syria so I can concentrate on the search.
“It is very depressing and especially difficult this month because my eldest was due to return to school. He was really happy at St Mary’s Primary School in Selly Oak – he loved it very much and I know that he will be feeling down.”
