British ISIS fighter popularly known as ‘Jihadi Jack’ has begged to be released from a Syrian jail after he allegedly joined the terrorist group so he can return to the UK and “explain some things” to his mum.
Jack Letts, 21, hit the headlines last year amid reports that he had flown to the war-torn country from his middle-class Oxford home to fight on the front-line with the terror group.
Speaking to the Alaraby television network, Jack – who has denied claims he joined ISIS – revealed he is being held by the Kurdish militia and has “no idea” what will happen to him next.
In footage seen by the Oxford Mail, he told interviewers: “What do I want? I suppose initially I want to get out of prison, because I’m currently still in prison with the YPG [Kurdish militia in Syria], and, eventually, just continue my life.
“I have no idea what is going to happen to me now. It’s the future, no one knows except for Allah. I want to see my mum, and explain to her some things.”
It comes after Jack’s parents, John Letts and Sally Lane, spoke out about their torment over not knowing whether their son was alive.
The couple was charged with terrorism-related offences last June and spent five nights in jail for trying to send their son money.
They were bailed and will stand trial later this year.
On Thursday, Sally confirmed she and her husband had been told about Jack’s current situation.
She told the Oxford Mail she was “immensely relieved” that Jack was alive and detained.
Jack, now called Ibrahim or Abu Muhammed, grew up as a talented student and a Liverpool football supporter in Oxford.
But when he turned 18, he secretly travelled to the city of Raqqa after telling his parents he was going to Kuwait to study Arabic, it is claimed.
During his time in Syria, he posted snaps of himself holding weapons and claimed he narrowly survived a drone strike.
Jack apparently kept in contact with British friends via a Facebook page, on which he posted numerous images of himself in his new home country.
In one shot, he was seen praising Allah while dressed in combat-style clothing near the Taqba Dam in Syria, it was reported.
The Facebook page has since been taken down, but an old profile remains active on the site.
On the profile, Jack appears to deny being in Syria or Iraq with ISIS.
In response, Jack said: “I’m not in this place, this is far away from where I am.”
His friend replied: “Good, so where are you now? Are you abroad?”
In his newest interview, he claims ISIS was losing territory in Syria and Iraq because the group which has committed numerous atrocities had not ‘applied Islam properly from the beginning’.
He added: “That is why Allah is not helping them.”
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