Councillor’s home searched after son held near Syrian border

One of the nine Britons was said to be the son of Shakil Ahmed, who represents the Kingsway ward on Rochdale Borough Council.

His son, Waheed, is among a group of five adults and four children being returned to the UK after they were stopped in Hatay province on Wednesday.

Read more: Nine Britons from Rochdale arrested trying to enter Syria

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing consular assistance but was unable to confirm when the nine people, who are related, would reach British soil.

Mr Ahmed on Thursday urged for his son to come home “as soon as possible so I can find out what’s going on”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the adults aged 21,22,22,24 and 47, and the children aged one, three, eight and 11, are believed to be related.

‘Shocked’

The Labour councillor said that among those detained were Waheed’s aunt, Zadia Bi, two of Zadia’s sons and one of the son’s wives.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Ahmed said the group were on holiday. “All I know is that they were on holiday and then the next thing I am told is that they have been arrested,” he said.

Mr Ahmed earlier said in a statement that he thought his son was on a work placement in Birmingham.

He said: “I was shocked, worried and extremely upset to hear that my son has been arrested on the Turkey-Syria border. It’s a total mystery to me why he’s there, as I was under the impression he was on a work placement in Birmingham.

If I thought for a second that he was in danger of being radicalised, I would have reported him to the authorities. Shakil Ahmed

“My son is a good Muslim and his loyalties belong to Britain, so I don’t understand what he’s doing there. If I thought for a second that he was in danger of being radicalised, I would have reported him to the authorities.

“He’s studying a degree in politics and sociology at Manchester University and has a good future ahead of him. I just want to speak to my son and get him home as soon as possible so I can find out what’s going on.”

This is the last thing we need. Iman Irfan Chishti

Iman Irfan Chishti, of the Rochdale Council of Mosques, said: “We are shocked to hear this has happened in our town. Rochdale has had its fair share of negative publicity of late, given the grooming issue, and this is the last thing we need.”

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: “The news that nine people from Rochdale, including children, have been arrested in Turkey trying to get into Syria is deeply worrying. “The idea you can take young children into a war zone is despicable and we condemn those adults who have done this.”

‘This is a family matter’

GMP’s Mr Wiggett said one of the police’s primary concerns was the safety and welfare of the young children. He added: “I would also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibility to help us in our fight against extremism and prevent anyone thinking of travelling to Syria or other war zones from going.”

The Metropolitan Police believe around 600 Britons have travelled to Syria and Iraq since the conflict began, while around half are believed to have returned to the UK.

Mr Ahmed posted a picture of himself with Labour leader Ed Miliband on his Facebook page just before Christmas.

A Labour spokesman said this morning: “This is a family matter. The good news is that the authorities stopped them crossing into Syria.

“The priority now is that the police and authorities investigate fully. We’re clear that anyone involved with terrorist groups should feel full force of law.”