Arbroath marine questioned over claims he tried to join fight against Islamic State
ByRichard Watt
A serving Royal Marine based in Arbroath has been questioned by police over claims he intended to join the fight against Islamic State militants.
The marine was due time off following 45 Commando’s wargames in the California desert, codenamed Black Alligator, when he was stopped boarding a plane to Turkey two weeks ago.
Suspicions were raised that he intended to fight alongside Kurdish militias in Syria and Iraq as the flight was one-way.
The 22-year-old, who has not been named, is now back on base at RM Condor.
A navy spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident involving a Royal Marine who has recently been interviewed by Police Scotland.”
The man was released without charge but the matter is understood to be a subject of navy investigations.
US officials said he was believed to have been in online contact with a Kurdish group with links in Turkey and the Kurdish frontline city of Irbil the headquarters of Peshmerga units leading the fight against IS.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a series of outrages in recent months, including the beheading of former Perth man David Haines.
