Updated at 4.52pm
THE UK POLICE force heading up the search for Ashya King, the 5-year-old boy taken from hospital, has issued a European arrest warrant for both parents.
The young boy, who has a brain tumour, may be in Spain, authorities believe.
According to Sky News, Hampshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Shead said the warrant was being sought to give police the power to talk to Ashya’s parents once they’re found.
And he said the warrant shouldn’t discourage them from coming forward, as the young boy’s wellbeing remained the priority.
Interpol said yesterday that Ashya was taken from Southampton General Hospital at around 2pm on Thursday by his parents — 51-year-old Brett King and 45-year-old Naghemeh King.
At the request of UK authorities, Interpol issued a Yellow Notice, or missing persons alert, for King.
Here is his father pictured taking him from the hospital:
Ashya, his parents and his six siblings then boarded a ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in France.
They are travelling in a grey Hyundai 1800 style CRDI registration KP60 HWK.
Interpol said:
There are serious concerns for Ashya’s health, he is immobile and likely to be in a wheelchair or buggy, and cannot communicate verbally.
Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson of Hampshire Major Investigation team said:
If we do not locate Ashya today there are serious concerns for his life. He is receiving constant medical care within the UK due to recent surgery and ongoing medical issues. Without this specialist 24 hour care Ashya is at risk of additional health complications which place him at substantial risk.
Police said they had “positive information” to suggest that Ashya King and his family could be in Spain where they have “strong links” to the Marbella area.
“Kidnapped”
British and French police have been searching for the boy, and a French prosecutor said the youngster had effectively been “kidnapped”.
The batteries on Ashya’s feeding system will run out on Friday, authorities are warning.
The youngster has undergone extensive surgery and was last operated on seven days ago.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for refusing blood transfusions on religious grounds, but are otherwise open to other medical procedures.
The group said there was no indication that the boy’s parents had been motivated by religious convictions and appealed to them to seek the best medical treatment for him.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is requested to contact their local police or Hampshire Constabulary in the UK on 00 44 1962 841 534.
With reporting from AFP and Aoife Barry.
First posted at 10am.
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