ACTIVISTS rallied outside the Turkish embassy in London today to protest against the imprisonment of a former British soldier who fought Isis with the Kurdish YPG.

Joe Robinson has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years’ imprisonment in Turkey for “terrorist offences” after serving in Syria with YPG medical forces against the extremist terrorist organisation.

Mr Robinson was sentenced on Saturday after he was arrested and taken into custody last year while on holiday in Turkey with his family.

The YPG formed part of the anti-Isis coalition during the liberation of Raqqa, Syria, in conjunction with US and British military forces, but is a proscribed organisation in Turkey.

Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign (KSC) spokesman Mark Campbell said it was “utterly shameful” that the British government has “washed their hands” of Mr Robinson.

He said: “They are prioritising their relationship with Nato partner Turkey over an ex-serviceman who selflessly took up the call to help the Kurdish struggle against the scourge of Isis.

“This is part of a wider policy of UK government acquiescence to the Turkish regime, one of the world’s worst human-rights abusers, in favour of arms sales.

“These are weapons that are used against Kurdish civilians both in Turkey and Syria. Turkey is a ‘priority market’ for UK arms sales despite their illegal invasion of Kurdish Afrin, the murder of British citizen Anna Campbell and arming of jihadist groups in Syria.”

The KSC is demanding the British government stands up for its citizens such as Mr Robinson and Ms Campbell, the latter of whom died in March fighting with the Kurdish YPJ, instead of “betraying” them in favour of their “friendly relationship with a despotic war criminal.”

Mr Campbell, who is not related to Ms Campbell, called for British ministers to use their positions in securing freedom for Mr Robinson and returning Ms Campbell’s body to her family.