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Islamic State 'Beatles' on way to face US charges Islamic State 'Beatles' charged in US over hostages' deaths
(about 2 hours later)
Two ex-British Islamic State (IS) prisoners are travelling to the US to appear in court later over the killing of Western hostages, CBS News said. Two ex-British alleged Islamic State (IS) suspects have been charged in the US with terrorism offences over the killing of four American hostages.
Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are accused of belonging to an IS cell dubbed "The Beatles" involved in kidnappings in Iraq and Syria.Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are accused of belonging to an IS cell dubbed "The Beatles" involved in kidnappings in Iraq and Syria.
CBS, the BBC's US news partner, cited a source saying the pair are on their way to the US to appear in a federal court. The pair are being held in FBI custody and will appear in a US federal court in Virginia later.
The men, previously in US military custody in Iraq, deny the charges.The men, previously in US military custody in Iraq, deny the charges.
It comes after the UK sent evidence to the US following assurances the two men will not face the death penalty. US Assistant Attorney General John Demers said the charges were "the result of many years of hard work in pursuit of justice" for the four Americans who died - James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.
He added: "These men will now be brought before a United States court to face justice for the depraved acts alleged against them in the indictment."
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
They are alleged to have been members of an IS gang responsible for the death of hostages in Iraq and Syria in 2014.They are alleged to have been members of an IS gang responsible for the death of hostages in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
The men were previously stripped of their UK nationality.
The victims - who included American journalists and UK and US aid workers - were beheaded and their deaths filmed and broadcast on social media.The victims - who included American journalists and UK and US aid workers - were beheaded and their deaths filmed and broadcast on social media.
Hostages nicknamed three men - Kotey, Elsheikh and Mohammed Emwazi, known as "Jihadi John" and who died in a drone strike - after the 1960s pop group due to their British accents. Kotey and Elsheikh were part of the IS cell nicknamed by hostages after the 1960s pop group due to their British accents.
The US sought the UK's help in the case but until recently a legal fight over the use of the death penalty hampered co-operation. Another member, Mohammed Emwazi, known as "Jihadi John" died in a drone strike in 2016.
The men, from west London, were previously stripped of their UK nationality.
The US sought the UK's help in the case but until recently a legal fight over the use of the death penalty hampered cooperation.
Last month, the US made clear Kotey and Elsheikh would not be executed if found guilty.Last month, the US made clear Kotey and Elsheikh would not be executed if found guilty.
Step towards closureStep towards closure
This is a huge development in this case.This is a huge development in this case.
These two Londoners were captured two years ago by Kurdish forces and handed over to US custody in Iraq, where they've been for the past 12 months.These two Londoners were captured two years ago by Kurdish forces and handed over to US custody in Iraq, where they've been for the past 12 months.
They deny torturing and murdering hostages - but that is what they are accused of.They deny torturing and murdering hostages - but that is what they are accused of.
They are being brought to a US court in Virginia, near Washington DC.They are being brought to a US court in Virginia, near Washington DC.
Their appearance will come as a step towards closure for the families of those who were killed - in some cases beheaded in videos on social media - in Iraq and Syria.Their appearance will come as a step towards closure for the families of those who were killed - in some cases beheaded in videos on social media - in Iraq and Syria.
IS once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of territory stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.IS once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of territory stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.
The liberation of that territory exposed the magnitude of the abuses inflicted by the jihadist group, including summary killings, torture, amputations, ethno-sectarian attacks, rape and sexual slavery imposed on women and girls. Hundreds of mass graves containing the remains of thousands of people have been discovered.The liberation of that territory exposed the magnitude of the abuses inflicted by the jihadist group, including summary killings, torture, amputations, ethno-sectarian attacks, rape and sexual slavery imposed on women and girls. Hundreds of mass graves containing the remains of thousands of people have been discovered.
UN investigators have concluded that IS militants committed acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.UN investigators have concluded that IS militants committed acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.