Yahoo News Daniel Burke: Terror charges dropped against British ex-soldier who fought against Isis in Syria
Prosecutors have dropped terror charges against a former British Army soldier who volunteered with Kurdish fighters in Syria.
Ex-paratrooper Daniel Burke originally fought against Isis with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) between late 2017 and June 2018.
No action was taken at the time, but he was prosecuted after allegedly attempting to return to support the YPG against an invasion by Turkish-led forces last year.
Mr Burke, of Wythenshawe, served in the elite Parachute Regiment between 2007 and 2009.
Upon his arrest, he told police: “I’m not a terrorist, you know I’m not a terrorist. I’ve done nothing but fight for this country. This is a f***ing joke.”
He was remanded in prison ahead of a trial that had been due to take place in October, amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Charges of preparing acts of terrorism, by planning to travel to Syria, and funding terrorism were dropped on Friday.
The Crown Prosecution Service told the Old Bailey it was presenting no evidence against Mr Burke, or two other men originally charged in a separate case.
Paul and Sam Newey - the father and brother of another man who fought with the YPG - were prosecuted for terror offences in the first case of its kind.
Paul Newey, 49, was accused of funding terrorism by sending £150 to his son, while his 19-year-old son was accused of assisting his brother.
Daniel Newey, who remains in Syria, joined the YPG while it was being backed by the US-led coalition to push Isis out of its Syrian territories in 2017.
He returned to Britain in 2018 but travelled to Syria for a second time last year, after Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish-held territory.
All charges against his father and brother were also dropped on Friday.
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