This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/02/britons-held-in-turkey-for-trying-to-enter-syria-could-be-deported-immediately

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Britons held in Turkey for trying to enter Syria could be deported immediately Britons held in Turkey for trying to enter Syria could be deported immediately
(about 2 hours later)
Counter-terrorism officers have launched an investigation into nine British nationals - including a one-year-old - stopped in Turkey as they allegedly attempted to cross the border into war-torn Syria.Counter-terrorism officers have launched an investigation into nine British nationals - including a one-year-old - stopped in Turkey as they allegedly attempted to cross the border into war-torn Syria.
Five adults, aged 21 to 47 and four children, aged one, three, eight and 11, believed to be related, are currently awaiting deportation and lived in Rochdale, Greater Manchester Police said.Five adults, aged 21 to 47 and four children, aged one, three, eight and 11, believed to be related, are currently awaiting deportation and lived in Rochdale, Greater Manchester Police said.
Turkish armed forces (TAF) stopped the family on Wednesday in Hatay province, which lies on Turkey’s 500-mile long border with Syria.Turkish armed forces (TAF) stopped the family on Wednesday in Hatay province, which lies on Turkey’s 500-mile long border with Syria.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, said: “What is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a warzone; such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever.”Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, said: “What is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a warzone; such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever.”
Images have emerged of the group leaving a hospital in the south of the country, where they are reported to have had a medical checkup and fingerprints taken.Images have emerged of the group leaving a hospital in the south of the country, where they are reported to have had a medical checkup and fingerprints taken.
Surrounded by uniformed military officers, three men, two women and four children are seen leaving the medical facility and boarding a silver van.Surrounded by uniformed military officers, three men, two women and four children are seen leaving the medical facility and boarding a silver van.
An online statement from the TAF said: “Turkey has foiled an attempt of nine British citizens to enter Syria and detained them.”An online statement from the TAF said: “Turkey has foiled an attempt of nine British citizens to enter Syria and detained them.”
They were held overnight at a patrol border post but are understood to have been moved to a branch of the police that deals with deportation.They were held overnight at a patrol border post but are understood to have been moved to a branch of the police that deals with deportation.
Turkish MP Mehmet Ali Ediboglu told reporters the group could be deported later on Thursday. A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the arrest of nine British nationals in Turkey. We are in contact with Turkish authorities and are providing consular assistance to those detained.”Turkish MP Mehmet Ali Ediboglu told reporters the group could be deported later on Thursday. A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the arrest of nine British nationals in Turkey. We are in contact with Turkish authorities and are providing consular assistance to those detained.”
Irfan Chishti, of the Rochdale Council of Mosques, said: “We are shocked to hear this has happened in our town. Rochdale has had its fair share of negative publicity of late, given the grooming issue, and this is the last thing we need.”
The arrests come after three young men were detained at the Turkey-Syria border last month. They were tracked down after police were given a tipoff about their alleged plan to enter the country. A woman was also arrested at the border in March on a separate occasion.The arrests come after three young men were detained at the Turkey-Syria border last month. They were tracked down after police were given a tipoff about their alleged plan to enter the country. A woman was also arrested at the border in March on a separate occasion.
In February, police launched an international manhunt for three schoolgirls who went missing from their east London homes. Bethnal Green academy pupils Shamima Begum, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana are believed to be inside Syria after flying to Turkey on a well-trodden path to the country.In February, police launched an international manhunt for three schoolgirls who went missing from their east London homes. Bethnal Green academy pupils Shamima Begum, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana are believed to be inside Syria after flying to Turkey on a well-trodden path to the country.
It is understood they were following another 15-year-old girl who travelled there from Britain in December. A high court judge has since confiscated the passports of four other pupils at the school after concerns were raised by Tower Hamlets council.It is understood they were following another 15-year-old girl who travelled there from Britain in December. A high court judge has since confiscated the passports of four other pupils at the school after concerns were raised by Tower Hamlets council.
The Metropolitan police believe about 600 Britons have travelled to Syria and Iraq since the conflict began, while around half are believed to have returned to the UK.The Metropolitan police believe about 600 Britons have travelled to Syria and Iraq since the conflict began, while around half are believed to have returned to the UK.
On Wednesday a former prosecutor warned that headteachers were concerned the Easter holidays will be a “window of opportunity” for pupils to flee the UK to join extremists in the Middle East.On Wednesday a former prosecutor warned that headteachers were concerned the Easter holidays will be a “window of opportunity” for pupils to flee the UK to join extremists in the Middle East.
Nazir Afzal, who stepped down on Tuesday as the chief crown prosecutor for north-west England, said parents’ fears that children would be criminalised for showing an interest in Islamic State or other extremist groups meant school staff were holding back from contacting the police.Nazir Afzal, who stepped down on Tuesday as the chief crown prosecutor for north-west England, said parents’ fears that children would be criminalised for showing an interest in Islamic State or other extremist groups meant school staff were holding back from contacting the police.