‘Jihadi Adam’ named as suspect in Ukraine murder of former Para Daniel Burke

An Australian-Algerian jihadist has been named by police as the main suspect in the murder of a British former paratrooper found shot dead in Ukraine.

Daniel Burke, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, travelled to Ukraine in 2022 to help fight against the Russian invaders.

But the 36-year-old was found dead almost 30 miles away from the front line in the Zaporizhzhia area in August last year.

He had been shot from behind in the head and neck and his body was left in a drain near a shooting range.

The Ukrainian authorities have now named his suspected killer as Abdelfetah “Adam” Nourine, who holds dual Australian and Algerian nationality.

Inquest told of man’s ‘confession’

Mr Nourine, who is also known as Jihadi Adam, is believed to have now left the area and his whereabouts is unknown.

An inquest into Mr Burke’s death was opened this week. Zak Golombek, area coroner for Manchester, was told a man had confessed to being involved in the shooting but had claimed it was an accident.

While in Ukraine, Mr Burke headed a group of foreign military volunteers known as the Dark Angels.

Greater Manchester Police, which is assisting his family, said efforts were continuing in Ukraine to find the suspect.

Det Supt Lewis Hughes, from the force’s serious crime division, said: “Our deepest condolences continue to be with Daniel Burke’s family, who have endured the most awful six months.

“We know his death is only made more traumatic by the absence of justice, and those closest to Daniel remain at the heart of our involvement in this case.”

Terrorism charges were dropped

He went on: “Alongside Daniel’s family we have been informed by authorities in Ukraine that they have a named suspect in their investigation into Daniel’s death, Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine … who has subsequently fled the area and remains outstanding in efforts to find him.”

Mr Burke had previously travelled to Syria where he had fought alongside the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or YPG against Islamic State.

After returning to Britain, he was charged with three terror offences despite the fact the YPG was an ally of the West and has never been proscribed by the Home Office as a terrorist organisation.

Mr Burke spent seven months on remand, much of it in solitary confinement, before the charges were dropped.