The brother of a Lancashire man who took four people hostage at a synagogue in the US before being shot dead has demanded answers about how he was allowed to travel.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, held four hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, US, on Sunday (January 16).
All of the hostages were released without being injured, but Mr Akram was shot and killed by the FBI a short time later.
READ MORE: 'My partner killed my children - I had no idea till she struck again'
Two teenagers have since been detained in south Manchester by officers from Counter Terror Policing North West in connection with the hostage attack.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Akram's brother, Gulbar demanded more information about how the incident had been allowed to unfold.
"He's known to police. Got a criminal record. How was he allowed to get a visa and acquire a gun," he said.
It is understood the hostage taker had flown to America two weeks ago and had been living in a homeless shelter.
He purchased a gun on the street, according to US President, Joe Biden.
Mr Akram's brother Gulbar said that his family were 'devastated' by his death after they spent hours talking to him in an attempt to secure a peaceful resolution.
A statement posted on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page, he said: "Salaam family and friends, it is with great great sadness I will confirm my brother Faisal passed away in Texas, USA this morning.
"We are absolutely devastated as a family.
"We can't say much now as there is an ongoing FBI investigation.
"We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident.
"Sitting in the incident room last night at Greenbank until the early hours liaising with Faisal, the negotiators, FBI etc and although my brother was suffering from mental health issues we were confident that he would not harm the hostages.
"At around 3am the first person was released then an hour later he released the other 3 people through the fire door unharmed.
"Don't believed the bull**** in the media they were released from the fire exit and not rescued.
"A few minutes later a firefight was taking place and he was shot and killed. ILWIAR. There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender.
"The FBI are due to fly into the UK later today so we don't have much else to share at the moment. Obviously our priority will be to get him back to the UK for his funeral prayers although we have been warned it could take weeks."
The first part of the siege was live-streamed on Facebook until the feed was cut off around 2pm.
On the Facebook live, Akram was heard calling for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al Qaeda.
She was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.
US President Joe Biden branded the incident 'an act of terror' and UK police are working with authorities in America on the investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Dominic Scally for Counter Terror Policing North West confirmed that Akram was behind the attack and said they were assisting with the ongoing investigation.
He added: "Police forces in the region will continue to liaise with their local communities, including the Jewish community, and will put in place any necessary measures to provide reassurance to them.
"We continue to urge the public to report anything that might be linked to terrorism to police, by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 – your call could save lives."
