Acid attack survivor Andreas Christopheros has called for tougher sentencing for acid attackers, as suspect Abdul Ezedi remains on the run following an attack in Clapham last week.
A 31-year-old woman remains in a critical condition and is facing life-changing injuries after she and her two children were attacked with a "corrosive alkaline substance" last Wednesday evening.
The suspect wanted in connection with the attack is 35-year-old Abdul Ezedi, who was granted asylum in the UK after arriving from Afghanistan on the back of a lorry in 2016.
The last confirmed sighting of Ezedi sighting was Wednesday evening after the attack, where he was spotted at Tower Hill Underground station at 9.33pm.
Andreas Christopheros is campaigning for tougher sentencing for acid attackers
GB NEWS
A national manhunt has been launched by police, and officers have since raided two locations in London a home in Newcastle in connection with Ezedi. Police confirmed they found "two empty containers with corrosive warnings on the label."
Police are offering a £20,000 reward for in a desperate plea for information, leading to his arrest.
Acid attack survivor and campaigner Andreas Christopheros has reacted to the "distressing" attack in Clapham and called for tougher sentencing for attacks involving corrosive substances.
Christopheros was attacked in a case of mistaken identity in 2014, and was left with life-changing injuries. After being left blind in one eye, his attacker David Phillips had his sentence reduced after three judges deemed him "not dangerous".
Abdul Ezedi is suspected of attacking a mother and her two children last week with an alkaline substance in Clapham
Metropolitan Police
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- London chemical attacker 'could have gang links helping him evade capture' as 'Britain's FBI' join manhunt
- Clapham acid attack: 'No idea' how suspect Abdul Ezedi was granted asylum, says Chris Bryant
- London chemical attacker: Desperate police PLEAD for help as £20,000 reward offered with officers CLUELESS to his whereabouts
Christopheros told GB News of his recovery: "It's shocking we're having this level of attacks still in the UK. I've been known to to deal with it fairly well. I haven't let it beat me.
"I have very much a different life now than I did before. It affects every waking and sleeping aspect of my life. There's no getting away from it. There's no hiding from it."
Outlining his campaign for tougher sentencing, Christopheros stated: "I have been campaigning ultimately for the flaws in the justice system and better powers for the police.
"The last few years I've teamed up with Katie Piper and we've been campaigning together. We are asking for tougher sentences, we don't feel the sentences that are given for these crimes match the severity of the injuries."
Andreas Christopheros says his scarring 'affects every waking and sleeping aspect of his life'
GB News
Christopheros told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster that he and Katie Piper are campaigning for a "decanting legislation", in which it would become illegal to decant concentrated acids and alkalines into an unmarked bottle.
He added: "I don't think a sentence has been given yet to a perpetrator that really fits the crime."
On Friday, Met Police Commander Jon Savell made a direct appeal to Ezedi. He said: "Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.
"We’ve seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in."
Officers are urging the public not to approach Ezedi if they see him. Anyone with information about Ezedi has been asked to call 020 7175 2784 or for an immediate sighting dial 999.