The father of one of three teenagers arrested in Turkey on suspicion of trying to join Islamic State fighters in Syria works for the Ministry of Defence, it has been revealed. It is believed the man, from Brent, northwest London, works in the military's post office, where he could have had access to the names and address of all military personnel at home and overseas. He has been put on compassionate leave from his post, after the MoD considered suspending him, a source has said. It is not clear where or at what level at the MoD he worked. The father of one of three teenagers arrested in Turkey on suspicion of trying to join Islamic State fighters in Syria works for the Ministry of Defence, it has been revealed. It is not clear where or at what level at the MoD he worked, but it has post offices at RAF Northolt (pictured) The Times reports that he is one of the parents of the three boys, one aged 19, and two aged 17, who raised the alarm about their missing children. The MoD declined to comment. Last month it was revealed that the students were intercepted in Turkey after their parents realised they had fled to join the terrorist group. They dialled 999 and British police quickly tipped off their Turkish counterparts. Officials swooped on the group within minutes of their flight touching down in Istanbul. But instead of being praised for his actions, he was reportedly put on compassionate leave after first facing suspension, it has been claimed. Last month it was revealed that the students were intercepted in Turkey after their parents realised they had fled to join the terrorist group. They dialled 999 and British police quickly tipped off their Turkish counterparts. Officials swooped on the group within minutes of their flight touching down in Istanbul (file picture) The three teenagers were brought back to Britain where they were questioned at a high-security London police station on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism, before being released on bail. Investigators hope to discover how they planned to reach the war zone and why they decided to try to do so. More than 600 Britons have fled the country for Syria and Iraq since the explosion of violence in the region began . More than 600 Britons have fled the country for Syria and Iraq since the explosion of violence in the region began. They include 22 women and girls who have travelled in the past 12 months, many of whom wanted to become ‘jihadi brides’. IS controls huge areas of the two countries and has attracted thousands of foreign fighters to its cause. Turkey has faced criticism for not controlling its border with Syria, but has accused European states of failing to prevent would-be jihadists from leaving in the first place.
Three teenage boys from north-west London detained in Turkey last month .
Their parents phoned 999 in Britain after realising they were missing .
Authorities quickly made contact with Turkish counterparts to block them .
Now it has emerged that one of boys' fathers worked for the MoD .