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Islamic State 'document haul' probed by German police Islamic State 'document haul' probed by German police
(35 minutes later)
German counter-terrorism police are investigating documents said to reveal the identities of a large number of fighters of so-called Islamic State.German counter-terrorism police are investigating documents said to reveal the identities of a large number of fighters of so-called Islamic State.
The files, obtained by German and British media outlets, are said to be recruitment questionnaires that identify thousands of supporters of the Islamic State group from 50 countries. The files, obtained by German and British media outlets, are said to be recruitment questionnaires that identify thousands of supporters of the IS group from 50 countries.
They appear to contain names, addresses and phone numbers.They appear to contain names, addresses and phone numbers.
German officials say they are working on the belief the files are genuine.German officials say they are working on the belief the files are genuine.
A ministry statement said the papers offered "a great chance to identify Germans taking part in terrorist activities of the so-called IS". A German interior ministry statement said the papers offered "a great chance to identify Germans taking part in terrorist activities of the so-called IS".
It added: "It allows us to understand the structure of this terror organisation and perhaps it will serve as a deterrent for young radicalised people, who think they are doing something good, but who now may realise they are the victims of a criminal organisation."It added: "It allows us to understand the structure of this terror organisation and perhaps it will serve as a deterrent for young radicalised people, who think they are doing something good, but who now may realise they are the victims of a criminal organisation."
Syrian websiteSyrian website
UK Home Secretary Theresa May said she could not comment on "specific national security matters", but added: "Of course, I have seen the reports that have taken place."UK Home Secretary Theresa May said she could not comment on "specific national security matters", but added: "Of course, I have seen the reports that have taken place."
She said the IS group "poses a severe threat... it is important for us to work together to counter this threat". She said IS "poses a severe threat... it is important for us to work together to counter this threat".
Sky News said the files contained 22,000 names, addresses, telephone numbers and family contacts of jihadists. It said the documents were obtained from a man called Abu Hamed, an Islamic State fighter who became disillusioned with the group's leadership. Analysis: BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera
He says he stole a memory stick containing the information from the head of Islamic State's internal security force and handed it over in Turkey. What appears to be a personnel database for the group could be of real intelligence value for Western security services - if it proves authentic.
The questionnaire has 23 sections, that also includes countries travelled through to reach Syria, fighting experience and a line for the "date and place of death". The data looks to be a snapshot from late 2013 or early 2014 so will not be current but still could have its uses. It would help the authorities check that they had not missed anyone who had travelled out.
The section saying who had recommended an applicant could also be useful in tracing networks and connections.
British authorities will not comment on whether they have the database but the Germans (who also seem to have received it from a media organisation in their country) are also suggesting it could be useful as evidence in prosecuting those who return.
Sky News said the files contained 22,000 names, addresses, telephone numbers and family contacts of jihadists. It said the documents were obtained from a man called Abu Hamed, an IS fighter who became disillusioned with the group's leadership.
He says he stole a memory stick containing the information from the head of the IS internal security force and handed it over in Turkey.
The questionnaire has 23 sections that include countries previously visited, fighting experience and a line for "date and place of death".
Zaman Al-Wasl, a Syrian independent news website, said in January it had also obtained documents that "included 23 fields" and listed the "real names of IS fighters and their jihadi backgrounds, nationalities and hometown addresses".Zaman Al-Wasl, a Syrian independent news website, said in January it had also obtained documents that "included 23 fields" and listed the "real names of IS fighters and their jihadi backgrounds, nationalities and hometown addresses".
However, it says that only 1,700 names are identifiable. However, it says that only 1,700 names are identifiable, and some experts say there are several inconsistencies in the language on the forms that raise concern. These include variant names for IS and the use of "date of death" instead of "martyrdom".
Examining samples from this site, the BBC found that the IS group had recruited jihadists from more than 40 countries, 72% of them Arabs. The main sources were Saudi Arabia, which supplied 25%, followed by Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Of European nations, Turkey and France were the leading suppliers. Examining samples from this site, the BBC found IS had recruited jihadists from more than 40 countries, 72% of them Arabs. The main sources were Saudi Arabia, which supplied 25%, followed by Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Of European nations, Turkey and France were the leading suppliers.
One document found from the site relates to a Briton called Abu Jibril al-Britani. The questionnaire says he was born of Bangladeshi origins in 1995, entered Syria on 31 August 2013, and was offering four areas of work - "fighter, sharia related, security work and admin". One document found from the site relates to a Briton called Abu Jibril al-Britani. The questionnaire says he was born of Bangladeshi origins in 1995, entered Syria on 31 August 2013 and was offering four areas of work - "fighter, sharia related, security work and admin".
'Gold mine''Gold mine'
German media also reported this week they had documents.German media also reported this week they had documents.
The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said it had obtained "dozens" of similar documents on the Turkey-Syria border.The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said it had obtained "dozens" of similar documents on the Turkey-Syria border.
German media have pulled out a number of names, including Kerim Marc B and Abdelkarim B. who they say are currently on trial separately in Germany. German media have pulled out a number of names, including Kerim Marc B and Abdelkarim B, who they say are currently on trial separately in Germany.
Some of the papers are stamped Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which pre-dates the rebranding to Islamic State in June 2014.Some of the papers are stamped Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which pre-dates the rebranding to Islamic State in June 2014.
Analysts say the IS group is known to be bureaucratic, so such lists may not be surprising. Analysts say IS is known to be bureaucratic, so such lists may not be surprising.
Shashank Joshi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank, told the Press Association the papers could be "incredibly important".Shashank Joshi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank, told the Press Association the papers could be "incredibly important".
He said: "It is a law enforcement gold mine. It means it might make it easier to prosecute those who have returned."He said: "It is a law enforcement gold mine. It means it might make it easier to prosecute those who have returned."
IS, a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim group also known as Daesh, is notorious for its brutal methods in gaining territory in Iraq and Syria.IS, a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim group also known as Daesh, is notorious for its brutal methods in gaining territory in Iraq and Syria.
It claimed a number of devastating gun and bomb attacks outside the region in 2015, notably the attacks on Paris and downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt.It claimed a number of devastating gun and bomb attacks outside the region in 2015, notably the attacks on Paris and downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt.