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2 Detained Brits May Have Helped Syrian Extremists

Two 20-somethings arrested at Heathrow

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 10, 2012 11:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Two 26-year-old Brits detained at Heathrow last night may have been involved in the kidnapping of two journalists in Syria, authorities say. Both are being held on suspicion of supporting terrorist activity, report the BBC and the Guardian. Another intriguing detail from Sky News: One of them is reportedly a doctor with the National Health Service who took a sabbatical to travel to Syria to help Islamist extremists. Both were arrested upon their return to the country.

The details are sketchy, but the gist from media reports is that the pair are British Muslims who went to Syria to support jihadists who want to oust Bashar al-Assad and set up an Islamist state. Authorities think the group they joined kidnapped British photographer John Cantlie and Dutch journalist Jeroen Oerlemans, both of whom were held for a week in July, and shot while trying to escape before being released. Cantlie has said he was treated by a young doctor with a British accent.

A file photo of police patrolling at Heathrow Airport.
A file photo of police patrolling at Heathrow Airport.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
BuffaloJack
Oct 11, 2012 7:29 AM CDT
Too bad the UK doesn't have a death penalty law.
RAD45
Oct 10, 2012 12:23 PM CDT
There's nothing quite so dangerous as folks who take advantage of Western freedoms to help enemies. Back in WW2, the Norwegians had their Quisling group who aided the Nazis. It's time to clamp down and start lookng carefully at the freedoms being exploited by those who don't believe in them. Citizenship anywhere is a privilege, thus treasonous conduct should be punished accordingly.  If you let others play by their rules, the playing field is tilted in their favor!
 

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