Jailed terrorists stripped of citizenship including Shamima Begum could be allowed back to their coutries of origin
Western jihadis held in the Middle East including IS bride Shamima Begum could be returned to their countries of origin, an intelligence report has revealed.
The study by a former FBI officer highlights ex-Islamic State prisoners being sent back to countries such as France, with a focus on IS children.
It means the British Government may one day have to accept the repatriation of UK prisoners, even notorious radicals such as henchmen of Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John.
An IS man, his two wives and nine children were recently repatriated to France, which has taken back over 200 jihadis.
The report argues that repatriation may help break the terror cycle, as many returnees are no longer devoted to the cause.
It says potential jihadis who wanted to travel but could not may be more dangerous than those who saw the reality of IS life.
Called Will Western Nations Repatriate Their Citizens In Syria and Iraq, the wide-ranging report reads in part: “Several recent analyses suggest those who do return to their countries of origin after leaving the caliphate look back upon the Islamic State with a combination of despair and disillusionment.”
Ex-FBI man Ali Soufan explains further in the report, saying: “There is still a real and tangible threat posed by individuals who are susceptible to the siren call of jihadist propaganda.
“But this has always been the case. Interestingly, although with some exceptions, the threat posed by those who never left, and thus never experienced the horrors of the caliphate, could be more significant than from those who left home to fight with the Islamic State.”
Kurdish-held prisoners have included Emwazi’s radical jihadi friends Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh.
Also held are Jack Letts – dubbed Jihadi Jack – and Hamza Parvez.
All of them have admitted that they want to return to live in the UK.
But a British security source said: “Under the Johnson government it is very unlikely these people will be allowed to return but in the long run it cannot be discounted, given the ever-changing situation in the Middle East.”
As many as 20 British former fighters are being held in Syria, Iraq, or in neighbouring Turkey.
Children and women such as Ms Begum are held in detention camps.
The Court of Appeal is currently considering Ms Begum’s legal bid to return to live in Britain.
The most notorious UK fighters Kotey and el-Sheikh were seized by US special forces from a Kurdish-run jail as Turkish forces stormed the region last year.
The Court of Appeal is currently considering Ms Begum’s legal bid to return to live in Britain.
The most notorious UK fighters Kotey and el-Sheikh were seized by US special forces from a Kurdish-run jail as Turkish forces stormed the region last year.
They were taken to a holding cell in an unknown location, probably in Iraq.
Source: Mirror
