MOHAMMED Omar Abdi, who was the son of a senior figure at one of Scotland's biggest mosques, was brutally gunned down in a gangland shooting.

The 25-year-old from Leith, died of gunshot wounds after the ­gang-related incident in the Willowbrae area of Edinburgh in May, last year.

He was discovered seriously injured beside a VW people carrier in Abercorn Avenue in Duddingston.

At the time it was believed that some of the gang members, had already fled the city and gone down south.

Mr Abdi and his father, Omar, both members of Edinburgh Central Mosque, had earlier in the month appeared in court on drug charges after being detained by police at their home in the Leith area of the capital.

Mr Adbi, who came to Scotland from Somalia as a teenager, had appeared in private on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court over three weeks before the murder along with his father and another man.

The case followed an operation which led to the recovery of what police described as "significant" quantities of crack cocaine and cash in Leith.

Police played down Mr Abdi Snr's role and said he was a volunteer at the mosque. It is understood he assisted the imam.

In a statement issued on his behalf by police, at the time of his son's death, Mr Abdi Snr said: "Mohammed was my son and a much loved member of the family.

"We have all been left devastated by his death and we want those responsible to be brought to justice so we can fully begin to grieve.

"I would ask anyone who knows anything about his murder to go to the police immediately."

His son, a security guard and student at Telford College, faced three drugs charges, including possession and supply, and also a proceeds of crime offence.

Mr Abdi's cousin, Mohammed Elhag, was among those who paid tribute to the 25-year-old, saying his death would leave "a huge gap" in the lives of his family and friends.

Mr Elhag said: "Mohammed Omar Abdi was more than a friend to most of us.

"He was more of a brother and a role model. He has left a big gap in our lives and we will always remember the things that we love him for the most.

"I don't think I ever remember Mo being upset - unless he didn't get food. I will always remember him sitting on my barber chair while I cut his hair.

"I just want to say from all your loved ones we will never forget you and always remember you as the brother we will never forget."

It later emerged that Mr Abdi was a friend of the mother of Mikaeel Kular, whose body was eventually found in a woodland area in Fife.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, posted a picture of herself with Mohammed Abdi on a social media website the day after he died.

Neighbours say they had seen Mr Abdi, who was 25 when he died, visit Ms Kular's flat in the Drylaw area of the capital.

A huge manhunt was launched when Mikaeel was reported missing from his mother's home in Pilton in January. He was found dead in woodland behind the house where his aunt lives in Kirkcaldy, Fife. He died from internal bleeding and a stomach infection.

Rosdeep Kular, 34, has since been charged with his murder.

A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Scotland said they would not comment on yesterday's court development.