Teenager who joined ISIL group in Syria to lose UK citizenship

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Shamima Begum, who left London to join ISIL group in Syria at the age of 15, has had her British citizenship revoked, according to a letter sent to her family published by ITV News on Tuesday.

Begum, who gave birth to a son at the weekend, was discovered in a refugee camp in Syria by a London Times journalist earlier in February. Now aged 19, she said she wants to return to Britain.

The letter addressed to Begum's mother said: "Please find enclosed papers that relate to a decision taken by the Home Secretary, to deprive your daughter, Shamima Begum, of her British citizenship.

"In light of the circumstances of your daughter, the notice of the Home Secretary's decision has been served of file today (February 19), and the order removing her British citizenship has subsequently been made."

A combination of handout CCTV pictures received from the Metropolitan Police Service shows (L-R) British teenagers Kadiza Sultana, Amira Abase and Shamima Begum passing through security barriers at Gatwick Airport, February 17, 2015. /VCG Photo

Britain's Home Secretary Sajid Javid has said he would "not hesitate" to prevent the return to Britain of anyone who has supported terrorist organizations abroad.

Mohammed T Akunjee, a lawyer representing Begum's family, said on Twitter the family was "very disappointed" by the move.

"We are considering all legal avenues to challenge this decision," he said.

Begum could have her citizenship revoked because she was a dual British-Bangladeshi national, according to government sources.

It's reported that two British men, accused of being members of an ISIL cell, were stripped of their citizenship after being captured in Syria in 2018.

(Cover image: Veiled women, reportedly wives and members of the ISIL, walk under the supervision of a female fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces at al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, February 17, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters