‘Terrorist brother didn’t approve of my lifestyle’

THE sister of jihadi Youssef Zaghba has revealed how they fell out after he tried to force her to wear Islamic clothing.

Kaouthar Zaghba, 25, said he and strict Muslim dad Mohammed were obsessed with her clothing and feared she was too Western.

Their controlling behaviour led to a rift that saw Kaouthar run away from home at 18. She said: “I couldn’t bear the mentality any more. I fought with my father because wanted me to wear the veil.

“Sometimes, I fought with Youssef about how I dressed, like if I wore a mini skirt. He did not approve.”

Kaouthar has since forged an independent life working in retail in their hometown of Bologna, Italy, rejecting the hardline Islamic lifestyle. She remained in touch with her mum and brother, though, and never imagined he would turn into a killer.

She added: “If I thought he was going to become a terrorist, I’d have done something. I don’t want anything to do with extremism.

“I accept that he is dead. But in my head he had nothing to do with the stabbings. Even as a little boy, he never liked toy weapons.

“I didn’t believe he could have done what he has. Now I would beat him to a pulp. I’m angry, I won’t go to the funeral.” KIDS Young Zaghba with Kaouthar