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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 (named day). It was answered by Dan Jarvis (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Repatriation: Syria

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to FOI 2026/03320 for what reason did her department deem it to be a) unlawful and b) unfair with respect to the withholding of the requested information regarding the number of ISIS-linked individuals repatriated to the UK from the Al-Roj camp in Syria.

Answer

The Government’s priority is the safety and security of the UK and our citizens. This can, where appropriate, include the exercise of immigration powers, the use of domestic and international watchlists, and law enforcement partners to disrupt the travel to the UK of individuals who are assessed to pose a threat.

Individuals who return should expect to be investigated and, where there is evidence that they have committed crimes, to face prosecution. A wide range of criminal and terrorism offences can be used to prosecute returning foreign fighters, carrying the possibility of a sentence up to and including life imprisonment.

It is the long-standing policy of successive UK Governments not to comment routinely either on individual cases or intelligence and security matters. On this Freedom of Information request, the Home Office set out the legal basis for withholding the requested information under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Those who are dissatisfied with the Home Office’s response to their Freedom of Information request may request an independent internal review within two months of the response.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
901
Session
2026-27
Related items
Repatriation: Syria
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Disclosure of information Detainees Syria Repatriation Islamic State
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk