ISIS jihadi brides like Shamima Begum could face up to ten years in prison if they return to the UK

Jihadi brides like Shamima Begum could face up to ten years in jail if they return to the UK under laws that come into force today.

The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 creates a criminal offence of entering or remaining in terror hot-spots overseas.

Dubbed “Shamima’s Law”, it was unveiled by ministers last year in a bid to boost powers to tackle the threat from foreign fighters.

The act allows Home Secretary Sajid Javid to designate an area, subject to parliamentary approval.

In order to use the power, he would need to be satisfied that it is necessary to restrict UK nationals and residents from travelling to or remaining in the area in order to protect the public from a risk of terrorism.

Anyone found to have entered or remained in a designated area could get up to ten years’ jail if convicted.

Exemptions will apply to protect those who have legitimate ­reasons for being there, such as journalism, aid work or attending a relative’s funeral.

Mr Javid said: “These new laws give the police the ­powers they need to disrupt terrorist plots earlier and ensure that those who seek to do us harm face just punishment.”

But the offence does not allow retrospective prosecutions — so Begum, 19, herself could not be prosecuted.

She left her home in Bethnal Green, East London, to join IS aged 15 but begged to return this year.

Source: India Times Post