Iraq News

ISIS teen 'shocked' after UK revokes her citizenship

A British teenager who joined the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) in Syria in 2015 said Wednesday (February 20th) she was shocked by a government decision to revoke her citizenship, AFP reported.

Shamima Begum, who now wants to return home after giving birth in a refugee camp in Syria last weekend, said the order was "unjust".

"I am a bit shocked," she told ITV News after learning of the move which was announced in a letter Tuesday from Britain's interior ministry to her mother in London.

Begum's fate has stirred controversy since she and two friends fled her east London home to join ISIS four years ago when she was aged just 15.

The case highlights a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow extremists and ISIS sympathisers home to face prosecution or barring them over security concerns.

A spokeswoman for the interior ministry said Tuesday the ministry would not comment on individual cases, "but any decisions to deprive individuals of their citizenship are based on all available evidence and not taken lightly".

She added that interior minister Sajid Javid was intent on prioritising "the safety and security of Britain and the people who live here".

The ministry's letter said the teen had the right to appeal the order.

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