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British woman arrested by counter-terrorism police at Luton airport 'took baby son to Syria'

Jamila Henry was detained by Turkish authorities at a bus stop in Ankara and returned to the UK

Heather Saul
Friday 20 March 2015 10:26 GMT
Luton airport
Luton airport (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

A British woman who was arrested at an airport on suspicion of trying to reach Syria was allegedly stopped last year as she returned from the crisis-hit country with her infant son.

Jamila Henry was held by officers at Luton airport after being detained by Turkish authorities at a bus stop in Ankara and returned to the UK over fears she was trying to reach the extremist group’s territories.

The Metropolitan Police said a woman was arrested on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism.

The 21-year-old, from Streatham, south London, was questioned by counterterrorism officers after she arrived from Syria just before Christmas, The Times reports.

A source described as close to her family said Ms Henry left the UK with her three-year-old son last time and was out of the country for seven months.

The source said she is separated from the father of her child, who is believed to be caring for him in the UK.

“When I heard she was back I was glad but obviously there were questions about how she got away. Since she came back she hasn’t talked. I had asked her and she said she can’t talk about it.”

Ms Henry is believed to have used her twin sister’s passport when she left the UK without her permission. Her sister Jalila is said to be “devastated” by Ms Henry’s actions.

“She told her mum ‘I don’t care if she rots where she is, all I want is my passport now’,” the source added. “She needs her passport back for a job interview. I just want people to know she’s such a good girl. She didn’t know anything.”

Ms Henry is currently being detained at a police station in south London.

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