British Authorities Freeze Assets of Britons who Joined Terrorists in Syria
LONDON-The British authorities have recently frozen the assets of Britons who are believed to have joined the armed terrorist groups in Syria.
The procedure comes within the framework of the British government’s attempt to control the flow of the increasing number of Britons joining the fight along with the armed groups in Syria. It is seen as a late step by Britain aiming to improve its image before the world public opinion and to disavow its incessant and open support for the terrorists in Syria. It also reflects the British government’s fears from the return of trained British terrorists from Syria and the possibility of launching terrorist attacks on the British lands.
The BBC reported that two men from the city of Cardiff who are believed to have joined a “jihadist” group in Syria have had their assets frozen by the UK government.
Nasser Muthana and Reyaad Khan, both 20, are on a list of people facing Treasury sanctions. A third man from Aberdeen, Ruhul Amin, has also been named on the list.
Muthana’s brother Aseel, 17, is also understood to be in Syria. In an online conversation he told BBC Wales he is willing to die for what he called “the cause”.
Muthana and Reyaad Khan appeared in an online video filmed in Syria apparently urging young Britons to join the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
On Thursday a man claiming to be Nasser Muthana posted pictures of home-made bombs on a social media account, according to BBC.
It showed around 15 home-made bombs packed inside metal containers with the message: “So the UK is afraid I come back with the skills I’ve gained”.
The brothers’ father Ahmed Muthana, 57, has said he wants his children to come home even if they are imprisoned on their return.
Meanwhile, a teenager arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, which police said may be linked with the Cardiff “jihadists”, has been bailed.
The British authorities also arrested several Britons after they returned home from Syria for their involvement in terrorist acts against the Syrians.
H. Mustafa