British police have arrested the parents of a man who allegedly traveled to Syria to join the Daesh Takfir terrorists back in 2014.
Jack Letts labeled by some newspapers as “Jihadi Jack” left the UK to join the terrorist group when was 18. His parents were arrested after he reportedly sent money for Jack for his expenses including buying new glasses.
"A 55-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman from Oxford were arrested on suspicion of sending money to Syria which could be used for terrorism purposes... and were bailed until 17 February," a Thames Valley police spokesman said.
Jack who hails from Oxford is under investigation by counter-terrorism unit since last March.
Letts' parents have acknowledged that their son had converted to Islam. They, however, dismissed the claims that he had joined terrorists and insist he traveled to the region for "humanitarian purposes".
"I think it's crazy that we can't send a penny to help him because we'll be seen as supporting terrorism," John Letts was quoted as saying.
"He has the freedom to practice whatever he wants, that’s British values. It’s so unfair, but if there is any evidence that he’s done anything violent, if you can show me any of that I’ll be the first to believe it and I’ll be the first to report it,” Jack’s mother Sally said
Speaking to British media last week, Sheikh Ramzy, director of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre also described Jack as kind-hearted but said he had lost contact with him in 2014.
There is a sharp rise in number of people, including many young Britons suspected of travelling to Syria to join Daesh. That includes women and girls, some travelling with friends and others with children. The number of terrorism-related arrests in Britain has also surged in recent months.