Jack Letts

Jack Letts
Born Jack Abraham Letts
1995 (age 22–23)
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Nationality British
Canadian
Other names Jihadi Jack
Education Cherwell School

Jack Abraham Letts (born 1995) is a British-Canadian Muslim convert and an alleged member of ISIS.[1][2][3] He was given the nickname Jihadi Jack by the British media.[4][5]

Biography

Letts was born in Oxford to non-Muslim parents.[6] His Canadian-born father, John Letts, is an organic farmer and archaeobotanist whilst his British mother, Sally Lane, is a books editor.[3] He attended Cherwell School.[7] Jack converted to Islam and was said by his parents to have developed severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).[8] Letts attended various local mosques and learned Arabic in order to read the Koran.[8]

In May 2014 Letts claims to have travelled to Kuwait,[8] but in late September travelled to ISIS-held territory in Syria.[9]

Media interest in Letts began when journalist Richard Kerbaj of The Sunday Times claimed that he told his parents in a telephone call in September 2016 that he had joined Isis - a claim Letts and his parents deny.[4][10]

Letts has stated that his journey to the Middle East was part of his "search for truth", and denies ever having been a member of ISIS.[9] He stated that he went to Syria "To spread the religion of Allah and to help Muslims. I can speak Arabic and English. That's my only skill." [7]

Letts denies claims that he adopted the name Abu Mohammed while in the Middle East.[11][11] Letts married a local woman and had a child while he was in Syria

In an interview with The Independent Letts was quoted as saying, "I'm not Isis, but I believe in the Sharia; I also think that whatever I say, the media will probably freestyle with it and make up more nicknames for me...". When questioned about the treatment of Muslims in Syria he said: "The Muslims in Syria are burned alive, raped, abused, imprisoned and much more. I also think that some of Muslims I met here are living like walking mountains. Full of honour".[7]

When asked if he was a terrorist he stated: "Do you mean by the English government's definition, that anyone that opposes a non-Islamic system and man-made laws? Then, of course, by that definition, I suppose they'd say I'm a terrorist, khalas (and that's that). He also stated that he was not with you "dirty-non-Muslims".[12][6]

On 7 May 2017, Letts stated that he hated Isis "more than the Americans hate them".[13]

It was reported in 2016 that Letts said in an online statement that he "hated" his parents "for the sake of Allaah" because they are non-believers, and called on them to convert. He added: "They reject the religion of truth, so I reject them. I hate the Kuffaar [non-believers], and am free from them. Die in your rage.".[14] Letts' parents deny these are Jack's views.[15]

Letts has claimed that he was imprisoned by ISIS on three occasions, and lived in hiding with others who stood against Isis inside Raqqa.[1]

Letts' parents are under 'contempt of court' restrictions imposed by High Court judge Mr. Justice Saunders and the UK media is unable to report what they knew about their son's opinions or activities while he was in Syria.[15][16]

Letts has been photographed performing the one finger ISIS salute wearing what appears to be civilian camouflage shirt and cargo pants.

Escape from Isis and detention by Kurdish forces

Letts was detained by the Kurdish YPG militia after trying to escape the battle for Raqqa.[17][18] The BBC interviewed him from prison in June 2017.[19][20] Letts says he was detained while seeking to escape ISIS-held territory.

After Letts informed his parents he was in Kurdish custody, they asked the British authorities for help. The Foreign Office said that they could not help due to lack of consular services in Syria and Iraq,[9] and they were told that British government policy was not to help any British citizens return from Syria.[21] Letts initially told the BBC: "I don't want anyone to help me",[9] but later requested help to return to the UK,[21] and said he is happy to be arrested and put on trial for any crime the police claim he has committed.[15]

In October 2017, Letts' parents staged a seven-day hunger strike to bring attention to his case.[22] They claimed their son was tortured in prison and "have not heard from him for months".[22] On 10 November 2017, they launched a petition to "Secure the release of Jack Letts who is detained in northern Syria".[23]

In January 2018, Canadian diplomatic officials reportedly spoke to Letts, who asked them to allow him to come to Canada. Letts' parents reportedly received a letter from the Canadian government saying it was "making every effort to assist" Letts.[24]

Letts' parents charged with three counts of funding terrorism

On 9 June 2016, Letts' parents appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with funding terrorism.[25] The court heard that the couple had tried to send money to their son on three occasions between September 2015 to January 2016.[25] Sally Lane and John Letts claim the police gave them permission to send Letts funds to help him escape from Isis territory.[26][27][28] They were remanded in custody.[29] After spending five days in prison, their bail was reinstated following a hearing at the Old Bailey.[30][25]

Appearing at the Old Bailey in June 2016, they denied three counts of funding terrorism and were released on conditional bail. A trial was set for January 2017,[31] but the case was delayed as the couple was given permission to challenge the charges against them 'on a point of law' in the Supreme Court.[32][33] They are still awaiting trial.[32]

References

  1. 1 2 Grierson, Jamie (13 June 2017). "UK Muslim convert Jack Letts detained by Kurdish forces – reports". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Blackwell, Tom (8 November 2017). "Trent University graduate John Letts urging Canada to bring home his son, known as Jihadi Jack, for Kurdish militia custody in northern Syria". Peterborough Examiner. Postmedia Network. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 McLelland, Euan; Wyke, Tom (23 January 2016). "The 'typical middle class boy' who became Jihadi Jack: With a book editor mother and a father who has been on Countryfile, friends express shock that 'class clown' could become ISIS fighter". Daily Mail. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  4. 1 2 Kerbaj, Richard (24 January 2016). "Jihadi Jack' first white British boy to join Isis". The Sunday Times.
  5. ↑ O'Carroll, Lisa; Gani, Aisha (25 January 2016). "'Jihadi Jack' is a label invented by media, say worried parents". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  6. 1 2 Rawlinson, Kevin (25 July 2016). "Muslim convert Jack Letts denies he is fighting for Isis". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Khan, Shehab (30 January 2016). "'Jihadi Jack' Letts interview: Former Oxford schoolboy calls on British people to convert to Islam as he brands David Cameron an 'evil creature'". The Independent. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 Dearden, Lizzie (5 February 2016). "'Parents of 'Jihadi Jack' Letts claim he has mental health condition and is not fighting for a terrorist group in Syria'". The Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sandford, Daniel; Swann, Steve (13 June 2017). "'Jihadi Jack in jail' after leaving IS-controlled territory". BBC News. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  10. ↑ Fenton, Tim (14 November 2017). "Sunday Times Jihadi Jack Shame". Zelo Street.
  11. 1 2 "'Jihadi Jack' has dismissed reports he has joined Isis as 'awkward'". The Independent. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  12. ↑ Khan, Shehab (31 January 2016). "Muslim convert Jack Letts calls on Brits to turn to Islam". The Independent.
  13. ↑ Raff, Michael (8 November 2017). "The 'Jihadi Jack' I went to school with must face justice in Britain". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  14. ↑ Farmer, Ben (25 July 2016). "Jihadi Jack: 'I hate my parents, but miss doughnuts'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  15. 1 2 3 "Jihadi Jack parents: Our son doesn't hate us". Victoria Derbyshire. BBC. 29 June 2017.
  16. ↑ Mckernan, Bethan (31 October 2017). "Syrian Kurds ask UK to take back alleged British Isis fighter 'Jihadi Jack'". The Independent. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  17. ↑ Kershaw, Tom (29 October 2017). "'Jihadi Jack' has not been heard from for months and was tortured in prison, his parents claim". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  18. ↑ Rose, David (3 June 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Parents' joy as middle class British Muslim convert Jihadi Jack 'flees through a minefield to escape from ISIS' - and claims he NEVER fought for the terror group". The Mail on Sunday. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  19. ↑ Smith, Adam (5 June 2017). "Jihadi Jack asks to leave jail to 'explain some things' to his mother". Metro. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  20. ↑ Emma Vardy (2017-10-28). "'Jihadi Jack' charged with being IS member, Kurdish officials say". BBC News. Retrieved 2017-11-08. His parents have denied he went to Syria to fight with IS, and started a petition claiming he had "disappeared in a Guantanamo-style black site" in Kurdish-controlled territory.
  21. 1 2 "'#freejackletts". CounterPunch. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  22. 1 2 Kershaw, Tom (29 October 2017). "'Jihadi Jack' has not been heard from for months and was tortured in prison, his parents claim". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  23. ↑ "Petition: Secure the release of Jack Letts who is detained in northern Syria". Petitions - UK Government and Parliament. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  24. ↑ Brewster, Murray (8 February 2018). "Alleged ISIS operative 'Jihadi Jack' begs Canada to let him come here". Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 "IS suspect 'Jihadi Jack's' parents granted bail over terrorism offences". BBC News. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  26. ↑ Farmer, Ben (10 July 2016). "Jihadi Jack parents: 'Police said we could send money'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  27. ↑ Blackwell, Tom (7 November 2017). "Britain's 'Jihadi Jack' could end up in Canadian hands after months in the custody of Kurdish militias'". National Post. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  28. ↑ "'Jihadi Jack': Parents accused of funding terror remanded in custody". London Evening Standard. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  29. ↑ Rossington, Ben (9 June 2017). "Parents of 'Jihadi Jack' ISIS militant remanded in custody after denying sending money to their son".
  30. ↑ Reporters, Telegraph (2016-06-14). "'Jihadi Jack' parents accused of funding terrorism given bail as judge says 'perfectly decent people ended up in custody' over 'love of child'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  31. ↑ "'Jihadi Jack' parents to face terror trial in January". BBC News. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  32. 1 2 Legal Editor, Frances Gibb (2017-09-11). "Parents in legal fight over money for 'Jihadi Jack'". The Times. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  33. ↑ Tickell, Tom (20 January 2017). "#FreeJackLetts'". CounterPunch. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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