A MERSEYSIDE Man who jetted to Syria to ‘fight ISIS’ has been cleared of one terror charge against him.
Aiden James from Merseyside allegedly went to Syria to fight with the YPG Kurdish Militia back in 2017.
Mr James, 28 will still face two charges of allegedly attending terrorist training camps, which he denies.
But Mr Justice Edis said “there is no case to answer” regarding an allegation of preparing for terrorism.
Aiden was formally acquitted of the charge that he prepared for acts of terrorism by training in the UK, acquiring equipment, communicating with others and travelling to Iraq.
The judge made the ruling in the jury’s absence on Monday, the court heard.
Back in 2018, Politicalite exclusively reported Aiden’s case, which saw him gain a massive amount of support.
James’ partner told Politicalite in 2018 that she was “overwhelmed” by the support for the campaign to Free Mr James.
We revealed that Police assured him that ‘he wouldn’t face charges’ for fighting ISIS, but then faced jail on his return.
Aiden was so horrified by the atrocities committed by ISIS in Syria and Iraq as well as the terror that they brought to British shores and the lives that they destroyed that he simply had to do something. He did. He went straight to the root of the problem and fought ISIS on the frontline in Syria.
Friends of Mr James claimed that when he decided to leave Syria last year, he received emails from anti-terrorist officers.
Despite fighting to defend his country even before he returned he expressed concern about what would happen upon his return: “He claimed his family had been “hounded” by the authorities and he was concerned he would be charged with terrorism offences by the British authorities.”
Sadly, his comments proved to be prescient. As soon as he arrived back at Liverpool John Lennon Airport he was charged with one count of preparing acts of terrorism and two counts of attendance at a place used for terrorist training.
Although he fought for the noblest of reasons it is crystal clear that no one should consider following in his footsteps. The British government has made it clear that they will prosecute anyone who flies out to fight the remanents of ISIS despite the fact that they continue to allow ISIS fighters back into the UK Without charge.
