London schoolgirl who travelled to Syria to join IS 'feared dead'

Kadiza Sultana was 16 when she left to join so-called Islamic State

One of three schoolgirls who left east London last year to join so-called Islamic State (IS) is believed to have been killed in a Russian air strike in Syria, her family solicitor has said.

Kadiza Sultana was 16 when she left Bethnal Green along with two friends. Her family's lawyer, Tasnime Akunjee, told BBC Newsnight they heard a report of her death in Raqqa a few weeks ago.

(From left) Kadiza Sultana, Shamima Begum, and Amira Abase travelled to Syria in 2015

But he said they had not been able to independently confirm it because of the nature of information from Syria.

Who are Britain’s jihadists?
The Britons signing up for Jihad

Mr Akunjee said the teenager had grown disillusioned and wanted to leave IS and return to the UK - but had decided not to risk being captured and facing a "brutal" punishment from the terror group.

He told the programme the family were "devastated" and that it was a "great loss to us all".