Jihadi Jack, also known as Jack Letts, a British terrorist who joined ISIS in Syria, has pleaded to be repatriated to a Canadian prison instead of being sent to a Syrian prison camp where he has been detained for seven and a half years. Letts, a British-Canadian dual citizen, has denied being a member of ISIS and claims he was misled about the group. His mother expressed concern about his deteriorating condition and called for his repatriation before it’s too late.
Letts, now 29, fled his home in Oxfordshire in 2014 to fight for ISIS and had his passport revoked by the UK in 2019. Despite his citizenship being stripped, Letts has expressed a desire to be repatriated to Canada, where he holds citizenship through his father. He has been detained by Kurdish-led forces in Syria, and his parents have been vocal about their desire to bring him back to a country that will take him in.
Letts’ parents, John and Sally Lane, have been critical of the UK government’s handling of their son’s case and have challenged the decision to revoke his citizenship. They have also been convicted of funding terrorism after sending money to Letts in Syria, although they claimed they were trying to help him. The couple received a suspended sentence after being found guilty in court.
Letts’ mother expressed shock at the lack of due process and legal rights for her son while he is detained in Syria without access to legal counsel. She believes that Letts wants to return to a country that will take him and hopes that Canada will repatriate him soon. Letts’ father has accused him of being a pawn for spreading hatred and violence, urging him to come home and turn his life around.
In 2023, Letts was among a group of individuals whose families won court backing for their return to their home countries. Canada had agreed to take back Letts and several other individuals held in Syrian prison camps. This news brought relief to Letts’ mother Sally, who has been advocating for his repatriation for a long time despite his revoked citizenship. The family remains hopeful that Letts will soon be brought back to a country where he can receive the necessary care and support.
