The death of a Syrian activist in a brutal killing in Hamburg has raised questions over whether he was targeted for his opposition to the regime of president Bashar al-Assad.

Mohamed Joune was found on a busy Hamburg street on Wednesday evening covered in blood. One of his fingers had been cut off and he had multiple injuries to his face and body. According to local reports he appeared to have been attacked with an axe. He was rushed to hospital but later died of his injuries.

The 48-year-old was found in the street outside the offices of the Union of Syrians Abroad, a non-profit organisation he ran to provide humanitarian support to victims of the civil war in Syria, and to offer support to Syrian refugees living outside the country.

He had lived in Germany for years and ran a pharmacy in Hamburg, where he also owned several properties.

Police have appealed for anyone who has information to come forward, and say they are currently investigating “in all directions”.

The Union of Syrians Abroad’s website focuses on humanitarian aid for victims of the Syrian civil war rather than support for any faction.

But a friend of the dead man told Bild newspaper he believed Mr Joune may have been killed for his opposition to the Assad regime.