The student was visiting Britain from Qatar in the Middle East when he was attacked by a mob outside a kebab shop in Hastings.

He suffered serious head injuries in the late-night attack on Friday and died last night at King's College Hospital in London.

Sussex Police said the fight happened outside the USA Fried Chicken and Kebab House near the seafront in Hastings on Friday night.

Mohammed was rushed to hospital and later transferred to the King's College Hospital, London, where he died late on Sunday night.

A youth aged 17 and two men aged 18 and 20 have been arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Graham Pratt, who is leading the investigation, said: 'I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the assault to contact police.


'It was a busy time of the evening and there were many young people in the area. I am sure many of them would have seen what happened'

A Sussex Police spokesman said today: 'Police are currently treating his death as a murder inquiry, and are investigating it as racially motivated at this time.'

Chief Insp Natalie Carron, from East Sussex Division, added: 'The young man had spent about five weeks in Hastings and was due to return home next weekend. His death is incredibly sad.

'We will have a uniformed presence in the area to reassure people and will continue to work with the language schools to address any issues.


Hastings attracts up to 50,000 foreign students to its English summer schools each year.

'The problems and issues they are involved in are very few in comparison to these large numbers,' said Ms Carron.

'Notwithstanding this, no matter how rare an incident like this is, the effect on the young man's family and tragic consequences can only be imagined.'