British ex-soldier arrested in Turkey for terror offences after fighting ISIS is innocent, parents insist
Joe Robinson, 24, was quizzed about a month he spent in Syria in 2015 fighting extremists alongside a Kurdish militia unit which is illegal in Turkey
THE parents of an ex-soldier arrested in Turkey on suspicion of terrorism offences said last night: “He’s innocent and we want him home.”
Police reportedly confiscated mobile phones, laptops and cameras before taking the trio to a nearby police station for interrogation.
After six days of questioning, Turkish authorities released Mira and her mother – but Joe was accused with “being a member of a terrorist organisation”.
It is understood this relates to a month he spent in Syria in 2015 fighting IS alongside a Kurdish militia unit which is illegal in Turkey.
When he returned four months later, Joe was arrested at Manchester airport, on suspicion of terrorism offences.
He spent 10 months on police bail but all charges were dropped.
Mira said: “It was awful. They said pictures on Facebook of Joe in Kurdish uniform proved he is a terrorist.”
Joe’s mum Sharon, 48, of Accrington, Lancs, said: “He’s impulsive, but he’s not that. He’s a really good lad.
"He cares about others. That’s why he went to Syria, to help others.
“I want the Turkish government, or whoever’s responsible for this, to stop saying this stuff about my son.
"I just want to tell him I love him and I want him home.”
His dad Andrew, 53, a telecommunications engineer, added: “We can’t get anywhere. I’m ringing Turkey and getting no response.
“It’s not the Foreign Office’s fault – they’re ringing Turkey and Turkey aren’t telling them anything.
“He’s only just managed to get an English-speaking solicitor after more than a week in custody.”
The Foreign Office said it had requested official access to see Joe in prison at Aydin.