Six more people have been arrested in connection with the killing of a British teenager whose family arrived in England as refugees from Lebanon.
Aya Hachem, 19, a law student and charity worker, was shot in broad daylight by someone in a car on Sunday afternoon, near a supermarket in Blackburn, in north-west England.
Police believe Ms Hachem, a student at Salford University in Greater Manchester, was not the intended target in the drive-by shooting.
She died from a single bullet wound but witnesses reported several shots were fired.
Three men aged 28, 31 and 35 have been held on suspicion of murder, police said on Wednesday.
They said two women, aged 19 and 26, and a man, 29, were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
On Monday, three men, aged 33, 36 and 39, all from Blackburn, were arrested on suspicion of murder and continue to be held after police were given extra time to question them.
Ms Hachem arrived in Britain as a child, the oldest daughter of refugees who fled war-torn Lebanon.
She was also a trustee at The Children's Society, a charity working with vulnerable youngsters.
Her parents, Samar and Ismail, spoke of their devastation.
“Our beautiful 19-year-old daughter Aya has been taken from us in the most horrific circumstances,” they said.
“She was the most loyal, devoted daughter who enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her brothers and sister Ibraham, Assil and Amir.
“She excelled in her studies both at Blackburn Central High School and at Salford University, where she was in her second year and dreamt of becoming a solicitor.
“She had just completed her exams and was learning to drive.
"We, her parents, are absolutely devastated by her death and would like to take this opportunity to plead with any members of the public who may have any information, however small, that may bring those responsible to justice.”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
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Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Brief scores:
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Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
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In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
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The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
