New Zealand to allow return of Isis-linked national after row with Australia over her citizenship

PM Jacinda Ardern agreed to Turkey’s request to return the suspected Islamic State terrorist and her two young children

The woman had dual nationality as she was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia, but Canberra revoked her citizenship, causing a diplomatic row

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier this year accused Australia of abdicating its responsibilities by cancelling the citizenship of the woman. Photo: DPA

Published: 12:00pm, 26 Jul 2021Updated: 11:25pm, 26 Jul 2021

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday she has agreed to a request from Turkish authorities to accept the return of a New Zealand citizen accused of having links to Islamic State.

The woman and her two young children have been in immigration detention in Turkey after they were caught earlier this year trying to enter Turkey from Syria.

Turkish authorities requested that New Zealand repatriate the family.

“New Zealand has not taken this step lightly. We have taken into account our international responsibilities as well as the details of this particular case, including the fact that children are involved,” Ardern said in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Wellington.

The woman had held New Zealand and Australian citizenships. Her family moved to Australia when she was six and she grew up there before departing for Syria in 2014 on an Australian passport.

But the Australian government revoked her citizenship and refused to reverse the decision despite calls from New Zealand.