IG Andrey Karasik became obsessed with Islam 10 years ago

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Andrey Karasik allegedly left his home country Russia with his wife and three children, Jasmina, Amira and Amina. Authorities are now closely monitoring the situation after the 39-year-old's passport was spotting being used in Syria.

You've signed your own death warrant, people don't come back from there Karasik's father

His disappearance came 10 years after he became intrigued by Islam. The professor at the Volgograd Technical University in Russia initially had an innocent interest in the religion.

CEN The professor, pictured here with an AK-47, has taken his whole family with him to Syria

However, two years ago he allegedly became obsessed with the radical extremist movement under the influence of a friend who studied at the Volgograd Medical Academy. Since then, he left his job as an English teacher to students studying technical specialities and persuaded his wife to accompany him to Syria where he has joined ISIS.

Palmyra after ISIS Tue, August 22, 2017 Islamic State fighters in Syria have reportedly blown up the ancient ruins of Palmyra, an ancient World Heritage home to renowned Roman-era ruins. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 51 A picture of the Arc du Triomphe before and after it was destroyed

His father, also a university professor, does not understand why his son became fascinated with Islam. Speaking to Russian site V1.ru, Vladimir Karasik said: "When he became interested in Islam, I thought he had gone mad. "I never thought it would go so far. He left in July 2014, and said that he was in Germany. "He called in late August, 'I'm in the caliphate'. "I asked him, 'What are you doing? You've signed your own death warrant, people don't come back from there.' "And he didn't go there alone but with his wife and kids. I was totally shocked. It was a nightmare that defies common understanding."

IG His family are feared dead after travelling to ISIS-strongholds in Syria

Getty Syrian Government forces have increased their bombing raids in Syria over the past few days

Some family friends even believe the educator's family is now dead. Dziga Vetrov, who claims to know the former professor personally, wrote online: "I've met him in our student times. "He seemed a bit odd, but who would have expected that it would have gone so far.