UK strips ‘Jihadi Jack’ dual national of citizenship

Published August 19, 2019
In this April 23, 2018, file photo, Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale during a news conference in Toronto. Canada said on Sunday it is disappointed the United Kingdom has decided to “off-load their responsibilities” after its close ally revoked the citizenship of a British-Canadian man who is imprisoned in Syria. Goodale confirmed in a statement that Jack Letts, who is dubbed Jihadi Jack by the media, has been stripped of his British citizenship. — AP
In this April 23, 2018, file photo, Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale during a news conference in Toronto. Canada said on Sunday it is disappointed the United Kingdom has decided to “off-load their responsibilities” after its close ally revoked the citizenship of a British-Canadian man who is imprisoned in Syria. Goodale confirmed in a statement that Jack Letts, who is dubbed Jihadi Jack by the media, has been stripped of his British citizenship. — AP

LONDON: Britain has revoked the citizenship of a dual national Muslim convert to the militant Islamic State group dubbed “Jihadi Jack” being held in northern Syria, according to reports on Sunday.

The move targeting Jack Letts, 24, who was a dual UK-Canadian national, has prompted a diplomatic row with Ottawa, Britain’s Mail on Sunday reported.

Former prime minister Theresa May approved the decision — which had been made by then-interior minister Sajid Javid — in one of her last actions before leaving office in early July, the newspaper said. A spokesperson for Britain’s interior ministry declined to confirm the report, noting it does not routinely comment on individual cases.

“Decisions on depriving a dual national of citizenship are based on substantial advice from officials, lawyers and the intelligence agencies and all available information,” the spokesperson said.

“This power is one way we can counter the terrorist threat posed by some of the most dangerous individuals and keep our country safe.” Letts was captured by Kurdish forces in Syria and is languishing in jail there, despite saying in a media interview earlier this year he would like to return to Britain.

“I’m not innocent,” he told ITV News. “I deserve what comes to me. But I just want it to be... appropriate... not just haphazard, freestyle punishment in Syria.” Letts converted to Islam at the age of 16 and fled his home in Oxfordshire, central England, two years later to join IS.

His Canadian father and British mother were convicted in a UK court in June of funding terrorism by sending him a small amount of money during his time in Syria, but were spared jail. The Mail on Sunday said revoking Letts citizenship had “sparked fury” in Ottawa, which believes he has little connection to the country.

The newspaper added there were fears the spat could overshadow a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British leader Boris Johnson at the G7 summit in France next weekend.

The decision is the latest instance of Britain revoking the citizenship of its nationals who went to join the Islamic State group’s self-proclaimed caliphate.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.