Detectives are reopening the case of a murdered political cartoonist who was shot in the back of the neck in London 30 years ago.

Naji Salim Hussain Al-Ali was killed on 22 July 1987 as he walked to his office in Knightsbridge.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism command are now reinvestigating the case, which was initially led by the force's special branch detectives.

They believe allegiances may have shifted in the years that have passed, and witnesses who were not willing to speak at the time may be willing to come forward and could have crucial information..

Image: Witnesses described seeing a suspect close to Mr Al-Ali. Pic: Met Police

Mr Al-Ali, a Palestinian who worked for Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas, often drew criticism for his cartoons, which were sometimes perceived as critical of the regime in Palestine.


He had received a number of death threats in the years leading up to his murder

The 51-year-old was walking to his work building in Ives Street after parking his car nearby when he was shot.

Witnesses described seeing a man holding a black automatic handgun who ran away after the attack.

One reported seeing another man crossing Fulham Road into Lucan Place and getting into the driver's seat of a silver-grey left-hand drive Mercedes shortly after the shooting.

The gun - a 7.62 Tokarev pistol - was found in open space on the Hallfield Estate in Paddington two years after the murder.

Image: The gun was found two years after the murder. Pic: Met Police

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met's counter-terrorism command, said: "The brutal murder of Mr Al-Ali devastated his family and 30 years on they continue to feel the loss.

"We have previously reviewed this case and followed a number of lines of inquiry which have not resulted in us identifying these two men.

"However, a lot can change in 30 years - allegiances shift and people who were not willing to speak at the time of the murder may now be prepared to come forward with crucial information."

:: Anyone with information is urged to call the investigation team, quoting Operation Amazon, on 020 3276 9014, or 0044 203 276 9014 from outside the UK. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.