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| IS-claims man Jack Letts' parents arrested | IS-claims man Jack Letts' parents arrested |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The parents of a British man who reportedly travelled to Iraq to join the so-called Islamic State group have revealed they were arrested by police. | The parents of a British man who reportedly travelled to Iraq to join the so-called Islamic State group have revealed they were arrested by police. |
| Jack Letts, 20, from Oxford, has been labelled "Jihadi Jack" by some newspapers, which reported he left the UK to join the group when he was 18. | Jack Letts, 20, from Oxford, has been labelled "Jihadi Jack" by some newspapers, which reported he left the UK to join the group when he was 18. |
| John and Sally Letts told Channel 4 News they were arrested after they sent him money for food and new glasses. | John and Sally Letts told Channel 4 News they were arrested after they sent him money for food and new glasses. |
| Thames Valley Police confirmed it had made two arrests. | Thames Valley Police confirmed it had made two arrests. |
| A spokesman said: "A 55-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman from Oxford were arrested on suspicious of sending money to Syria which could be used for terrorism purposes... and were bailed until 17 February." | |
| More on this story and others from Oxfordshire | More on this story and others from Oxfordshire |
| His parents said Jack had converted to Islam but dismissed the claims he had joined IS as "false" and said he travelled to the region for humanitarian reasons. | |
| Mr Letts said: "I think it's crazy that we can't send a penny... to help him because we'll be seen as supporting terrorism." | Mr Letts said: "I think it's crazy that we can't send a penny... to help him because we'll be seen as supporting terrorism." |
| Mrs Letts added: "It's the worst feeling in the world. You feel completely helpless. Your child's out there, they have no support, they're still reliant on you, he's sending desperate messages to us saying it's cold, or he doesn't have food." | Mrs Letts added: "It's the worst feeling in the world. You feel completely helpless. Your child's out there, they have no support, they're still reliant on you, he's sending desperate messages to us saying it's cold, or he doesn't have food." |
| Speaking to the BBC last week, Dr Sheikh Ramzy, director of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre, described Jack as "very kind" and "always smiling", but said he had lost contact with him in 2014. | |
| He said: "All the people were fond of him. I taught him basic Islam, and how to pray, how to be kind, how to be a humanitarian... and how to be peaceful, because Islam is a religion of peace. | |
| "If he's gone for those evil things he has been groomed. | |
| "He's not a Jihadist... he's been brainwashed. I can put my hand on my heart and say he's a very good, young lad." | |
| He added: "He cannot be a Jihadi type... he cannot bring his heart to even tell [off] the next door neighbour's cat." | |
| The South East Counter Terrorism Unit (Sectu) said it was aware of the recent media reports and was investigating. | The South East Counter Terrorism Unit (Sectu) said it was aware of the recent media reports and was investigating. |
| "This investigation began in March 2015 and is ongoing," Sectu added. | "This investigation began in March 2015 and is ongoing," Sectu added. |
| "We are unable to comment [on] any specifics... but would like to say that anyone who knows of someone who may be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorist-related activity, including travelling abroad to conflict zones, should contact local police." | "We are unable to comment [on] any specifics... but would like to say that anyone who knows of someone who may be potentially vulnerable to being drawn into terrorist-related activity, including travelling abroad to conflict zones, should contact local police." |