Dozens defecting from ‘IS jihadist utopia’

Dozens of defectors have deserted Islamic State, shattering the group’s self-proclaimed image of a “jihadist utopia”, according to a new report.

Since January last year at least 58 individuals have left the group and spoken publicly — and the number is growing, researchers based in London found.

Some fled after they were disappointed by the “quality of life” in territory controlled by IS and realised that the image of luxury goods and cars that lured them to join in the first place had failed to materialise.