UK Spooks Blamed For Turning 'Jihadi John'

A group calling itself an "independent advocacy organisation" has posted an essay on its website saying 'Jihadi John' was harrassed by UK spooks for four years.

Having apparently had extensive dealings with the man now identified as Mohammed Emwazi over several years, CAGE has attempted to lay the blame for his actions at the door of MI5.

In the 3,000-word article, excerpts of which are below, the group says a denied attempt to go to Tanzania - on safari - was a turning point in his life.

Background

"Mohammed Emwazi is a 26-year-old British citizen. He was born in Kuwait in 1988, but he moved to the UK at the age of 6.

"Raised and educated in London, he completed his university studies in 2009.

"He hoped that with this degree, he could build a successful career in Arab countries, as he was fluent in Arabic, English and a British citizen.

"As many students, upon completing his studies Mohammed wanted a break and planned a summer holiday go to Tanzania with one of the key attractions there being safari."

Detention In Tanzania

"In August 2009, he landed in Tanzania but was soon stopped at the airport," CAGE said.

"Without being given an official reason, he was denied entry.

"A number of armed officers were shouting and threatening; when a man called Emmanuel introduced himself.

"He eventually physically dragged him to a car waiting outside and taken to a police station.

"He was thrown into a cell while officers tried to strip him to his underwear.

"He remained there for about 24 hours without food or drink, being threatened by officers armed with guns and sticks.

"Just before being deported, he pressed Emmanuel for an explanation. This is not the Tanzanian government," said Emmanuel.

"He then showed a paper with his name, flight details and at the bottom, a piece of writing which said 'refuse entry and send back to the UK with the same flight.'"

MI5 Interrogation In Amsterdam

"As soon as he landed in Amsterdam on his way home, armed men were waiting.

"They stopped him and took him in a room for interrogation," CAGE said.

"An immigration officer took him to a cell where two agents were waiting.

"They introduced themselves as 'Fernando, from Dutch intelligence and Nick, from MI5'.

"Mohammed was asked to introduce himself and was asked for the reason of his trip to Tanzania.

"He gave detailed answers, however 'Nick' said he thought he was lying and that his real intent was to travel to Somalia.

"In response, he pointed out that he had a return ticket and that Tanzania was far from Somalia.

"Most importantly, he said there was a civil war there and he had no intention to be part of it.

"(Nick) added that he would visit him and call him regularly and keep a close track of all his activities.

"It was like a threat," he explained.

Attempt To Recruit Him

"However, the agent soon drifted away from accusing him of terrorism and moved to courting him to work for the MI5 in front of the Dutch intelligence officer," CAGE said.

"He declined the offer and explained that being a normal person, there was nothing he could even help them with.

"Upon this refusal, the MI5 agent issued a threat (that he would be followed).

Questioned At Dover

"At Dover, he was stopped again. He was escorted by two officers and taken to a room in the port.

"His bags were searched again, and then the main interrogation began which lasted a couple of hours.

"Mohammed was questioned by two anti-terror officers about his thoughts regarding 7/7 and 9/11, where he prayed, who his friends were, and the same questions asked by the MI5 agent in Holland claiming that they had information Mohammed wanted to go to Somalia having nothing to hide, Mohammed answered them all.

"The account says he then learned that his fiancee had been contacted by the security services - as a result, the marriage was off."

Settling In Kuwait

"Emwazi stayed in Kuwait for more than eight months, working for a well-known computer programming company.

"He decided to return to London in late May to visit his family for eight days.

"One or two months before he returned, a family member called and told him someone wanted to speak to him.

"The phone was immediately taken by an English lady who did not identify herself.

"He asked if she was MI5 to which she responded in the negative and that they were just concerned about him."

Stopped At Heathrow Airport

"When Mohammed returned, in late May 2010, he was stopped while going through Heathrow Airport.

"At this point he had to answer several questions and had his SIM cards taken away then returned."

Return To Kuwait

"Eight days later, in early June 2010, Mohammed went back to Kuwait, working for the same company as before.

"His father was visited by the same people again, whether it was the anti-terror police or MI5, but after he rang the solicitor Mohammed instructed him to, he was left alone.

"He was there for around two months, but after making new plans to get married, Mohammed wanted to come back and see his family again, just for a couple of days, before making the final step. It was late July 2010 when he returned."

He was stopped at the check-in stage, and questioned for six hours about his time in Kuwait, CAGE said.

"Parts of the interrogation allegedly happened in a room with no CCTV and no recording.

"He says this allowed agents to push him, with one allegedly pushing him against the wall by his neck so he couldn't breathe."

After his release he returned to Heathrow the next day but was again not allowed through check-in.

He discovered his visa for Kuwait had been refused as a result of UK intervention.

CAGE said: "That is why Mohammed lost his job and another marriage."

Last Roll Of The Dice

In 2013 he changed his name by deed poll to Mohammed al-Ayan, but another attempt to reach Kuwait failed, according to CAGE.

He eventually left home, and his family reported him as a missing person.

CAGE said he had told his family he was in Turkey helping refugees, but police told them he had travelled to Syria.

Read the full article here .