A prominent Syrian opposition activist in Hamburg has been killed with an axe in what is suspected to have been a politically motivated attack.

Mohamed Joune, 48, a wealthy pharmacist, led an organisation called the Union of Syrians Overseas. He was seen stumbling out of a building before collapsing in the street, bleeding profusely from a head wound. Paramedics took him to hospital but he died shortly afterwards.

Investigators found that he had suffered blunt force trauma to his head and upper body, as well as cuts suggesting an axe was used, according to Bild, the German tabloid. The attacker also cut off Mr Joune’s fingers, leaving a trail of blood down the stairs of the building as he tried to escape the blows.