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British woman detained in Turkey on suspicion of travelling to Isis controlled territory in Syria

The woman was detained at a bus stop in Ankara

Roisin O'Connor
Tuesday 17 March 2015 18:09 GMT
Turkish soldiers monitor the border line as they stand guard near the Akcakale border crossing in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turke
Turkish soldiers monitor the border line as they stand guard near the Akcakale border crossing in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turke (Reuters )

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A Turkish government official has said that authorities are holding a 21-year-old British woman, who was suspected of trying to travel to conflict zones in Syria.

The woman, who has been identified as JNH, was detained at a bus stop in Ankara and is being held pending deportation hearings.

One of the Turkish officials said authorities apprehended her based on Turkish intelligence and were not tipped off by British authorities.

Correspondence and images on the woman's phone reportedly indicated she was planning to head to Isis territory.

The woman is among a spate of young Britons who have travelled through Turkey to reach Syria.

Last week three teenagers returned to the UK after being detained in Turkey suspected of travelling to Syria, and were arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

Two 17-year-old boys from north west London and a 19-year-old man detained by Turkish authorities in Istanbul were returned to the UK on Saturday 14 March.

The families of the two boys alerted police officers when the pair did not return from Friday prayers, and raised fears they were travelling to Syria.

Inquiries revealed they had travelled with the 19-year-old man. They have since been released on bail.

Additional reporting by AP

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