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| UK jihadist prisoner swap 'credible' | UK jihadist prisoner swap 'credible' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Reports that UK jihadists were involved in a prisoner swap between Islamic State (IS) and Turkey are "credible", Whitehall officials have told the BBC. | Reports that UK jihadists were involved in a prisoner swap between Islamic State (IS) and Turkey are "credible", Whitehall officials have told the BBC. |
| The Times alleges that Shabazz Suleman, 18, and Hisham Folkard, 26, were among as many as 180 IS fighters traded for 46 Turkish hostages. | The Times alleges that Shabazz Suleman, 18, and Hisham Folkard, 26, were among as many as 180 IS fighters traded for 46 Turkish hostages. |
| The Turks were taken prisoner from their country's consulate in Mosul, Iraq, in June and released last month. | The Turks were taken prisoner from their country's consulate in Mosul, Iraq, in June and released last month. |
| Officials confirmed Mr Suleman, from High Wycombe, disappeared in Turkey. | Officials confirmed Mr Suleman, from High Wycombe, disappeared in Turkey. |
| The Foreign Office is providing consular assistance to his family but there has been no confirmation that he was one of the Turkish government-held prisoners. | The Foreign Office is providing consular assistance to his family but there has been no confirmation that he was one of the Turkish government-held prisoners. |
| "We are aware that a British national was reported missing in Turkey in 2014," a spokesman said. | |
| The Times said it was passed a leaked list of those handed over to IS and the two Britons were among the names. | The Times said it was passed a leaked list of those handed over to IS and the two Britons were among the names. |
| The newspaper alleges the list also includes three French citizens, two Swedes, two Macedonians, one Swiss and one Belgian. | The newspaper alleges the list also includes three French citizens, two Swedes, two Macedonians, one Swiss and one Belgian. |
| It also suggests the prisoner agreement included IS fighters held in Turkish hospitals and prisons, as well as those in the hands of moderate Syrian rebels. | It also suggests the prisoner agreement included IS fighters held in Turkish hospitals and prisons, as well as those in the hands of moderate Syrian rebels. |
| University place | University place |
| Mr Suleman had been a student at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. | Mr Suleman had been a student at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. |
| In a statement dated 3 October, the school said it had been approached by the "relevant authorities" a few weeks ago and it had fully co-operated. | In a statement dated 3 October, the school said it had been approached by the "relevant authorities" a few weeks ago and it had fully co-operated. |
| It said Mr Suleman had achieved a "solid set" of A-levels and had gained a place at university. | It said Mr Suleman had achieved a "solid set" of A-levels and had gained a place at university. |
| The school described him as "a very engaging and amiable student who fitted in well, forming good relationships with his peers and staff". | The school described him as "a very engaging and amiable student who fitted in well, forming good relationships with his peers and staff". |
| The statement also said Mr Suleman had travelled to Syria as part of an aid convoy for a Turkish charity last summer. | The statement also said Mr Suleman had travelled to Syria as part of an aid convoy for a Turkish charity last summer. |
| The release of the Turkish hostages hit the headlines at the end of September. There were 49 in total - 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqis - and included the Turkish consul, diplomats, special forces police and children. | The release of the Turkish hostages hit the headlines at the end of September. There were 49 in total - 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqis - and included the Turkish consul, diplomats, special forces police and children. |
| Little explanation was given for their release but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey's MIT intelligence agency had led the operation. | Little explanation was given for their release but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey's MIT intelligence agency had led the operation. |
| At the time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not deny reports there had been a prison swap and stressed no ransom had been paid. | At the time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not deny reports there had been a prison swap and stressed no ransom had been paid. |