Jihadi bride Aqsa Mahmood was deemed “a victim” after she joined Isis, official emails have revealed.
The Scottish Government was told the runaway teen was “a young girl who made a bad decision” during a meeting with her pals and cops.
There was also a plea for help to return her to Scotland after she fled to Syria in 2013, according to messages obtained by The Scottish Sun on Sunday.
The feedback, gathered amid fears for Mahmood’s life, emerged as Police Scotland said a probe into her disappearance is “ongoing”.
She is thought to be dead.
In one email, government officials discussed a 2014 summit with Home Office staff and members of Mahmood’s Glasgow community.
They said: “The perception is that she is very much a victim, a young girl who has made a very bad decision and now needs to be helped to return to Scotland (at worst).”
It came amid opposition to Westminster plans to strip jihadis who left the UK of their passports.
Officials added: “They do not see how this can help Aqsa Mahmood or others like her.”
IS bride Shamima Begum, 23, lost an appeal against the government’s decision to remove her British citizenship earlier this year.
Mahmood — thought to have been groomed by recruiter Adeel Ulhaq — was one of the first women to leave the UK voluntarily and join the caliphate aged 19.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston said: “Our investigation is ongoing. It’d be inappropriate to comment further.”
Lawyers acting for Mahmood’s family were approached for comment.
The Scottish Government said: “Ministers haven’t taken a position on this case.”
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/10594359/isis-bride-aqsa-mahmood-victim-government-emails/