Ex-British Soldier Jailed In Turkey For Fighting With Kurdish Rebels

Image: Joe Robinson (Facebook)

A former British soldier, who spent five months fighting against the Islamic State group in Syria, has been jailed in Turkey.

Joe Robinson was arrested while on a beach holiday in Turkey last year and charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation.

The 25-year-old spent four months in a Turkish jail and was released on bail but has been prevented from leaving the country.

Robinson had been a volunteer with the Kurdish militant group, the YPG, which was supported by the American-led coalition in its battle against IS in Syria. 

However, Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist organisation and the Syrian branch of the PKK.

Robinson has now been sentenced to seven and a half years in a Turkish prison but is planning an appeal against the conviction.

Joe's mother, Sharon Robinson, says the last year has been a roller coaster and she is calling on the British Government to get him out of there.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24, "I am under the impression that the government can ask for him to be extradited to serve his sentence here.

"That would be a massive relief, especially as he was found to have committed no crime by the UK law." 

Robinson is originally from Accrington, Lancashire and previously served with British forces in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office said:

"We stand ready to provide consular assistance to a British national in Turkey."