Mother fears for children taken to Algeria by her ex-husband
A mother from London is fighting to get her three children back after they were "kidnapped" by her ex-husband and taken to Algeria.
Maria Salas Dual says she fears for the safety of Samara, 13, Saladin, 10, and Rayhan, seven, who were spirited out of the country during an access visit by Hocine Mabrouk.
The 31-year-old Spaniard, who lives in Fulham, has since visited her ex-husband and children several times in north Africa but says he has vowed never to give them back.
Although she has an English court order giving her custody of the children, who were born in London and lived here all their lives, she has not been able to persuade the Algerian authorities to enforce it and let her take them home.
In April she moved to Algeria but now Mabrouk has told her she cannot see or talk to the children.
Ms Salas Dual said: "It is very hard for me, my main worry is how my children are doing without me. If I knew they were in good hands and being looked after it wouldn't be so bad.
"They don't speak Arabic and they have lost weight. I am really worried about how this is affecting them psychologically. I don't know what his family is telling them and whether they are saying horrible things about me.
"I am very scared but I try not to lose hope. He has threatened me and said I will never get my children back even if the law grants it."
Ms Salas Dual divorced her husband last year after accusing him of being of being possessive towards their children. He was allowed to see them only on pre-arranged visits but after telling his wife they were going swimming, he took them to Algeria.
Her sister, Monica, told ITV London Tonight Ms Salas Dual was "very depressed" about not seeing her children. She said: "She has not got her children and we won't rest until her children are back where they belong."
The case has been taken up by Islington South MP Emily Thornberry after she was approached by Ms Salas Dual's brother, Carlos, who lives in her constituency.
Ms Thornberry said: "What has happened to this family is tragic and I will do all I can to help. Algeria has to sign the relevant international agreements to protect women like Ms Salas Dual."
