Shamima Begum Husband: Yago Riedijk, Her Boyfriend & Married Life Explored!
Shamima Begum, the British teenager who left her home in London to join the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria in 2015, has been in the spotlight ever since she was found in a refugee camp in 2019. She has been fighting to return to the UK and regain her citizenship, which was revoked by the British government on national security grounds. But what about her husband, Yago Riedijk, the Dutch IS fighter who married her when she was only 15 years old? Who is he, and what was their life like in the so-called caliphate?
Who is Yago Riedijk?
Yago Riedijk, 29, is a Dutch national who converted to Islam and travelled to Syria in 2014 to join IS. He was born in Arnhem, a city in the Netherlands, and grew up in a middle-class family. He was described by his neighbours as a “normal kid” who liked to play football and video games. He studied engineering at a vocational school, but dropped out after a year. He then worked as a welder for a metal company.
According to his own account, he was radicalized online by watching videos of the suffering of the Syrian people and the propaganda of IS. He said he wanted to help the Syrian people and fight for his religion. He claimed he was not aware of the brutal atrocities committed by IS, such as beheadings, executions, and enslavement of women and minorities. He also denied being involved in any violence or fighting, except for one battle that “didn’t work out”.
How did he meet Shamima Begum?
Yago Riedijk met Begum in Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS, shortly after she arrived in Syria with two other schoolgirls from Bethnal Green, east London, in February 2015. They were introduced by an IS judge, who arranged their marriage. He was 23 and Shamima Begum was 15 at the time. In the UK, he would be committing a sexual offence.
Their meeting was brief and superficial. Riedijk said he asked Begum if she knew how to cook, and she said yes. Begum said she gave him a list of “weird” questions and requests, such as whether she would be able to visit her friends. They decided to get married after “10 minutes max”. They did not have a traditional wedding ceremony, but a simple contract signed by two witnesses.
Key facts about Yago Riedijk and Shamima Begum
| Name | Yago Riedijk | Shamima Begum |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 29 | 22 |
| Nationality | Dutch | British (revoked) |
| Occupation | Welder, IS fighter | IS bride |
| Date of arrival in Syria | 2014 | 2015 |
| Date of marriage | 2015 | 2015 |
| Number of children | 3 | 3 |
| Status of children | All deceased | All deceased |
| Date of capture | 2019 | 2019 |
| Location of detention | Prison in northeastern Syria | Refugee camp in northeastern Syria |
| Desire to return | Yes, to the Netherlands | Yes, to the UK |
| Legal status | Awaiting trial | Stateless |
| Links | — | Wikipedia- shamima_Begum Homepage- Newsunzip |
What was their married life like?
Yago Riedijk and Begum lived together in various locations in Syria, moving from house to house as IS territory shrank under the pressure of the US-led coalition and the Kurdish forces. They faced constant danger, hardship, and deprivation. They witnessed bombings, shootings, and executions. They had no access to proper health care, education, or entertainment. They lived under the strict rules and punishments of IS, which enforced a harsh interpretation of Islamic law.
Riedijk said he tried to find some “rest” and “comfort” with Begum, who he described as a “good wife” who respected and obeyed him. He said they had a “beautiful” relationship and shared some “beautiful memories”. He said he loved her and wanted to protect her. Begum said she loved him too, and that he was the only person she had in Syria. She said he treated her well and never abused her.
However, their marriage was also marred by tragedy and loss. They had three children, but all of them died. Their first son, Jarrah, died of pneumonia at eight months old. Their second son, Abdullah, died of malnutrition and disease at eight weeks old. Their third child, a daughter named Sarayah, died shortly after birth in the refugee camp where Begum was found. He said he was devastated by the deaths of his children, and that he blamed himself for bringing them to Syria.
Where are they now?
Yago Riedijk and Begum are currently separated and detained in different camps in northeastern Syria, controlled by the Kurdish forces who captured them. Riedijk surrendered to the Kurdish fighters in early 2019, and was taken to a prison where he is awaiting trial. He said he regrets joining IS and wants to return to the Netherlands with Begum and start a new life. He said he is willing to face justice and rehabilitation in his home country.
Begum was discovered by a journalist in a refugee camp in February 2019, when she was nine months pregnant with her third child. She said she wanted to return to the UK and raise her baby there. However, her plea was rejected by the British government, which stripped her of her citizenship on the grounds that she posed a threat to national security and that she was eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship through Shamima begum parents. Begum challenged this decision in the courts, but lost her appeal in February 2021. She said she is not a terrorist and that she made a mistake by joining IS. She said she wants to prove her innocence and be given a second chance.
What is the public opinion on their case?
The case of Yago Riedijk and Begum has sparked a heated debate and divided public opinion in the UK, the Netherlands, and beyond. Some people argue that they should be allowed to return to their countries of origin and face justice there, as they are still citizens and have human rights. They also point out that they were young and naive when they joined IS, and that they may have been groomed and brainwashed by the extremist group. They say they deserve compassion and rehabilitation, not punishment and exclusion.
Others argue that they should not be allowed to return, as they pose a security risk and a moral outrage. They say they betrayed their countries and their values by joining IS, and that they showed no remorse or regret for their actions. They say they should face the consequences of their choices in Syria, where they committed or supported crimes against humanity. They say they have no place in a civilized society, and that they should be stripped of their citizenship and left stateless.
The story of Riedijk and Begum is a complex and controversial one, that raises many questions about the nature and consequences of radicalization, terrorism, and citizenship. It also reveals the harsh realities and challenges of life under IS, and the difficulties of escaping from its clutches. It is a story that has no easy answers, and that will continue to generate debate and interest for years to come.
