Kids, 8, caught playing on train tracks
JON MACPHERSON
AFORMER Accrington soldier who went to Syria to fight against the Islamic State terror group has been reportedly charged in Turkey.
Joe Robinson, 23, was detained while on holiday last month with his girlfriend and her mother.
He has now been charged with membership of a terrorist organisation, his solicitor said.
The Observer reported in November 2015 how Mr Robinson, who previously served with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and completed tours of Afghanistan, fought alongside the People’s Protection Units of Syrian Kurdistan (YPG) against terror group IS.
But Turkey is hostile to the YPG because of links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey.
Solicitor Kaya Sertkaya told the Guardian Mr Robinson was being kept in his cell for 23 hours a day.
His girlfriend, Mira Rojkan, who according to her Facebook page is originally from Bulgaria, but is living in Leeds and studying law, has been charged with propaganda for sharing pro-Kurdish material online, the solicitor added.
Mr Robinson’s family has sent a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May while Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, has tweeted that he will write to the
Following Mr Robinson’s arrest, the Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign said: “Unfortunately, Joe has gone on holiday to Turkey not realising the kind of state it has now become.
“Turkey unfortunately continues to criminalise the Kurdish question and has jailed tens of thousands of Kurdish people, including elected MPs and mayors simply for peacefully campaigning for Kurdish rights.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the detention of a British national in Turkey and have requested consular access.
“We are providing support to the family and remain in contact with Turkish authorities.”