why are these ex british troops not facing the same charges as jiahdists?

A lot will depend on British law. However, the way I understand it these guys are actually considered mercenaries by UN standards, even if they are not being paid. There are a number of criteria for defining mercenaries, but only one of these need be met for one to gain that title. I am relatively certain that these guys have met at least one of those criteria. The reason I said it will depend on British law is mainly because if IS is viewed as an enemy of Britain, then these two individuals cannot be charged in the same way that an IS fighter would be.

If a US citizen were fighting alongside IS then that person would likely be prosecuted in the US, considering that IS is listed as a terrorist group and an enemy of the US. Therefore that person would be actively participating in fighting the US government by those standards. If the same individual were instead fighting alongside the Kurds, they could not be charged with fighting against the US, so what is left to charge them with by US law? So again, the laws of Britain will be important, and probably the deciding factor in whether legal action is taken. Remember that this is outside of Britain, where British law does not reach. So while an IS fighter who has British citizenship could be prosecuted upon returning to Britain, again because of their active participation against the British government, someone fighting against IS cannot be charged with the same crime. Again, I do not know the laws of that nation. In my opinion however, any British citizen could do what they did and likely get away with it.

a reply to: JiggyPotamus

Was made illegal just a couple of months ago to join a terrorist org overseas and fight for them.
Some returning ones have got 7years already.
Fighting against our way of life which is freedom .... they deserve it.

a reply to: muckleduck

These ex-British troops are doing no different from what has been done in the past.

Remember The Spanish Civil War of the 1930's ? Volunteers from Britain and many other countries went to fight against General Franco and his Fascists. They where called " International Brigades"

en.wikipedia.org...

en.wikipedia.org...

OP has been banned by the looks of it, I'm out.
Pity though, while I admit I thought the guy/girl was a twat I enjoyed the robust debate, and watching him/her fail...

a reply to: grainofsand

Maybe he's packed his bags and gone to Ar-Raqqa.

a reply to: grainofsand

Double post.

a reply to: grainofsand

Triple post?

a reply to: grainofsand

Quadruple post??

a reply to: grainofsand

Quintuple post??? The webternet is wonky tonight....

a reply to: seabhac-rua

I think you just hit a double post record .

a reply to: boymonkey74

Good lord!

How did that happen?

originally posted by: grainofsand
OP has been banned by the looks of it, I'm out.
Pity though, while I admit I thought the guy/girl was a twat I enjoyed the robust debate, and watching him/her fail...

There was a debate here?!?

And props to seabhac for pulling off a stunning five-post marathon. (thought it was only four at first)

originally posted by: seabhac-rua
a reply to: grainofsand

Quintuple post??? The webternet is wonky tonight....

Dude, your browser went full auto on you.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
There was a debate here?!?

...an exchange of opinions is always a debate

a reply to: seabhac-rua

Best thing about this thread that lol .

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

they went to fight against the terrorists and that makes them patriotic , unlike the ones that go over there to fight along side the terrorists , and that being treason .

I see what they're doing. But to me they're an irresponsible bunch of yahoos.

Their actions won't make any difference in the long run and they only risk getting themselves killed. We can't just have people swanning off over there and stopping some but turning a blind eye to others, regardless of their motives.