Jack Letts, dubbed 'Jihadi Jack', is suspected to be the first white British citizen to join Daesh. The 20-year-old British Muslim convert, who goes by the name of Abu Mohammed, reportedly left his home in Oxford and traveled to war-torn Syria.
His parents Sally Lane and John Letts, who strongly deny the claim, have been arrested under the terrorism act for trying to send their son money, which they insist was for buying new glasses.
"We can confirm a 55-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman, from Oxford, were arrested on suspicion of sending money to Syria which could be used for terrorism purposes … and were bailed until 17 February," the south-east counterterrorism unit said.
In an emotional interview with Channel 4 News the couple said that they fear their son "won’t get out alive".
"We don't know exactly where he is. If you know he's in danger or can't see straight, what parent isn't going to try get their child a pair of glasses if he can't see straight," Mr Letts said.
"I'm furious really. I'm very upset. I think it's crazy that we can't send a penny to our ill son to help him get out or to help him in any way because we'll be seen as supporting terrorism."
According to Jack’s parents, he also suffers from “really severe” Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with which he was diagnosed as a child. They believe his condition drove him to study the Qur’an.
"He's sending desperate messages to us saying it's cold or he doesn't have food or he can't see. We know that legally we're not allowed to help him. I just don't understand that," Ms Lane said.
Ms Lane insisted that her son would not lie to her about joining Daesh and there is absolutely no evidence to support that claim and Mr Letts believes the police just "put two and two together and made ten".
"He has the freedom to practice whatever he wants, that's British values," Mr Letts added.
Jack Letts left his home in Oxford two years ago and has reportedly been in Syria ever since.
He is one of 700 people, according to UK police, who are suspected of leaving Britain and traveling to Syria and Iraq to join various jihadist organizations. However, other figures suggest the number is more than twice the official police estimates.
"We are still seeing at least about five people leaving the UK for Syria and Iraq every week — and that's not to count the ones we don't know about," a foreign intelligence source told the Sunday Times.
