British YPG member's father hit with terrorism charges

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON

The father of a British man who joined YPG/PKK terror forces in Syria was arrested and granted bail in the U.K., according to local media Friday.

Paul Newey, 49, was approached by British police Dec. 11 at his home. His apartment was searched by police and authorities confiscated laptops and mobile phones.

Newey, along with his son, Sam, were taken to a police station where they were questioned for 13 hours. The elder Newey was held for four days and released on bail

The operation concerned Newey’s eldest son, Dan. The 27-year-old travelled from the U.K. to Syria to join the YPG/PKK terro group in 2017. He returned to the U.K. in March 2018, where he was investigated by police and placed on a watchlist, but was not charged with a crimes. He returned to Syria in October, following Turkey's Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria.

Newey’s mother, Vikki, was also visited by police and was interviewed for 12 hours.

Police said a 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of funding and supporting terrorism, and was subsequently granted bail.

Providing “material support” to terrorism -- funding and support -- has been used by authorities in previous years to target British families of Daesh/ISIS terror members.

Local media report that it is the first time a British family member has been investigated for a family member joining the YPG terror group.

If Newey is found guilty of financing terrorism he may serve a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail under Britain's Terrorism Act.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian offshoot.