Calls for inquiry after British ISIL bride case linked to Canada
Al JazeeraDec 23, 2022
Shamima Begum Allegedly Smuggled into Syria by Canadian Spy
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Image copyright: WPA Pool/Getty Images [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
Claims have emerged that Shamima Begum, who traveled from East London to Syria at the age of 15 to join the Islamic State (IS), was smuggled into the country by a Canadian spy.
The allegations, made by Richard Kerbaj in his new book "The Secret History of the Five Eyes," have prompted calls for an official inquiry. Kerbaj, a former security correspondent for The Sunday Times, even accuses Britain of later conspiring with Canada to cover up the role of spy Mohammed al-Rashed in the events of 2015.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Kerbaj's claims reveal that the UK was complicit in covering up a Western ally's role in trafficking young Brits. Begum was a victim under the terms of the Modern Slavery Act - her citizenship shouldn't have been removed and Britain must take full responsibility for her statelessness.
Pro-establishment narrative
Regardless of the means by which Begum may have entered Syria, she made a conscious decision to join a murderous terror group who she stayed with and supported for years. She only decided she wanted to return to the UK because three of her children had died. Former Home Sec. Sajid Javid is right to stand by his decision to remove her citizenship.
