Police have released an image of a man they want to talk to in connection with an acid attack on two Muslims in east London.
Cousins Resham Khan, 21, and Jameel Mukhtar, 37, were left with “life-changing” injuries when a corrosive substance was thrown on to them through their car windows.
Khan and Muhktar had been celebrating Ms Khan’s 21st birthday before the attack.
John Tomlin, 24, is described as white, 6ft tall, of stocky build and with short fair hair. He is known to frequent the Canning Town area. His Facebook page suggests he had links to the far right.
Ms Khan, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Mr Muhktar suffered severe burns to the face and body in the attack on 21 June.
“Within seconds, my cousin started screaming. Her eyes were blistered, her face started melting. My face started melting”, Mr Muhktar said.
According to police, they had stopped at traffic lights when the man approached them and threw the toxic substance at Ms Khan through the window. The attacker then circled around the car and threw more of the acid at Mr Muhktar, before eventually fleeing the scene.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
Mr Muhktar, 37, had to be temporarily placed in an induced coma to treat his injuries. “I’m in a really bad way. I’m going to be scarred for life. I can’t walk properly, I can’t hear properly, I can’t sleep”, he said.
Police said there was no current information to suggest the attack was racially or religiously motivated.
A crowd funding page has been set up up pay for the pair’s treatment. So far it has raised more than £33,000.