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British Royal Marine questioned as he tried to board Turkey flight over fears he wanted to join fight against Isis

Royal Marine was preparing to fly on one-way ticket from California to Turkey

Heather Saul
Friday 24 October 2014 07:36 EDT
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The Marine (not pictured) is serving with 45 Commando unit in Scotland but had been in the Californian desert training with US marines
The Marine (not pictured) is serving with 45 Commando unit in Scotland but had been in the Californian desert training with US marines (GETTY IMAGES)

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A British Royal Marine was interviewed by police on suspicion he was planning to travel to fight with Kurdish forces against Isis militants during his time on leave.

The Royal Marine was questioned two weeks ago as he prepared to fly from California to Turkey, the Daily Mail has reported. He was released without condition and was not arrested or held at any time.

The man was stopped while trying to board a flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul on a one way ticket.

He was reportedly suspected of planning to join Kurdish forces battling the advances of Isis in Syria and Iraq.

The man, believed to be 22-years-old, is understood to have been due to go on leave.

US officials said the man was believed to have been in contact with a Kurdish group that had links in Turkey and the city of Irbil, where the headquarters of Peshmerga units fighting Isis are based.

Kurdish fighters are leading attempts on the ground to combat the threat posed by Isis (also known as Islamic State), who have seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq, with the help of US led-coalition air strikes.

The officials said the Marine's one-way ticket “rang alarm bells”, according to the Mail, and his luggage and phone was reportedly examined.

The Marine is serving with 45 Commando unit based in Arbroath, Scotland but had been in the Californian desert training with US marines.

The man was returned to 45 Commando and quizzed by Police Scotland after arriving in the UK.

A Navy spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident involving a Royal Marine who has recently been interviewed by Police Scotland.

“The matter is being investigated by the Royal Marines. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

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