In a shocking revelation, Jack Letts, a Canadian citizen and former supporter of ISIS, has pleaded for his return to Canada from a hidden prison in Syria. The 29-year-old, who has spent the last seven and a half years in Kurdish custody without formal charges, shared his harrowing experience during an interview obtained by a team of investigative reporters from CTV’s W5.

The story begins with the heartbreaking worries of his parents, Sally Lane and John Letts, who have feared that their son was dead for years. Their desperate search culminated in a perilous journey across northeast Syria, where the reality of Letts's situation became painfully clear—he was lost in a network of secret detention centers housing around 10,000 suspected ISIS members from various countries.

The Kurdish authorities have stated that the responsibility to repatriate these foreign nationals lies with their home countries. Unfortunately, many nations, including Canada, have turned a blind eye, citing national security concerns. As a result, detainees like Letts find themselves trapped in a limbo without legal resolution.

After days of uncertainty, the team learned of Letts's location—a clandestine prison on the outskirts of Raqqa, the former stronghold of ISIS. The journey to reach him was fraught with danger, passing through areas still threatened by remnants of the terror group. Once inside, the team faced the grim atmosphere of a facility that contained no signs or markings, a stark reminder of the secrets hidden within its walls.

During the interview, Letts displayed a flicker of hope upon learning that his mother had been informed of his survival. He expressed sorrow and longing, recounting a recent dream of her, underscoring the emotional toll of his imprisonment. Stripped of basic comforts, Letts was barefoot when he met the reporters—a symbol of both his vulnerable state and the harsh reality he faces daily.

Originally from Oxford, England, Letts converted to Islam at 16 and was drawn to Syria in 2014, motivated by beliefs that ultimately led him into a dangerous conflict zone. Although he was captured while attempting to flee ISIS territory in 2017, he maintains he never joined the group, emphasizing that his initial naivety blinded him to the group's true nature.

Letts described his disillusionment after arriving in Syria, stating, “I spoke to people who gave me the impression that ISIS wasn’t what people said it was.” Rejecting the extremist ideology, he became a target for ISIS, facing imprisonment and threats on multiple occasions. He recounted losing over 20 friends to the group's brutality, highlighting the danger that lurked around every corner.

Now, with his British citizenship revoked, Letts sees Canada as his only lifeline. He has appealed for repatriation, expressing willingness to face any legal consequences. “Let me rot in a prison in Canada,” he implored. “At least I could see my mom once a year.” His plea underscores a critical issue: the growing dilemma of foreign militants held in limbo, as human rights advocates call for their repatriation, arguing that prolonged detention without charges may violate international law and human rights standards.

As the global community grapples with the implications of returning detainees, the case of Jack Letts serves as a haunting reminder of the personal stories behind the staggering numbers of those caught in the crossfire of an ongoing conflict that continues to resonate across the globe.