A former British soldier who battled Islamic State has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years in Turkey.

Joe Robinson, 25, was arrested while on holiday in Turkey last year for allegedly fighting alongside the People's Protection Units of Syrian Kurdistan (YPG) in Syria.

Turkey is hostile to the YPG because of its links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey.

Robinson previously admitted fighting IS but later denied acting alongside the Kurdish militia, insisting he travelled to Syria to provide medical aid.

Image: Joe Robinson was arrested while on holiday in Turkey. Pic: Joe Robinson/Facebook

Robinson, who used to live in Accrington, Lancashire, reportedly remains on bail while planning an appeal.


At the time of his arrest, Robinson's fiance, Mira Rojkan, was also held by Turkish police.

Rojkan, who was accused of engaging in terrorist propaganda, has reportedly received a suspended sentence.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: "He was there [in Syria] for one month and in this one month was a military medic, he never took part in any combat or military operation.

"Of course he had a weapon with him because it's a war zone, but he never took part in any fighting."

Image: Robinson denied acting alongside the Kurdish militia. Pic: Joe Robinson/Facebook

The Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign praised Robinson for "selflessly" battling IS.

"Joe is a hero to all who value peace and freedom against the dark forces of oppression, enslavement, rape and terrorism which IS represent," it said in a statement.

The YPG is not a proscribed organisation in the UK, although the Kurdistan Workers' Party is.

The Foreign Office said: "We stand ready to provide consular assistance to a British national in Turkey."