Yahoo News Two Brit Isis fighters could face death penalty in the US
Two of the British Islamic State “Beatles” could be sent to the US to face trial where they face the possibility of the death penalty.
Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh have been taken to a US Air Force base in Iraq, following the Turkish invasion of northern Syria earlier this week.
The two terrorists were thought to be considered prize assets and were moved before any chance of escape in any possible confusion following the launch of the Turkish offensive.
Earlier this week, US president Donald Trump labelled the pair as among the “worst of the worst”.
It is thought that under the offensive, some Islamic State prisoners could escape as they were being held by Kurd fighters, who are trying to repel Turkish attacks.
The US Justice Department wants the pair transferred to Virginia, where major terror trials are held.
Any conviction on such charges carries a potential death sentence under US law.
In case the Kurds or Turkey lose control, the United States has already taken the 2 ISIS militants tied to beheadings in Syria, known as the Beetles, out of that country and into a secure location controlled by the U.S. They are the worst of the worst!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019
Up to 50 high-level prisoners are thought to have been transferred to the Americans, along with the “Beatles”.
London-born Kotey, 35, and Elsheikh, 31, were part of a four-strong ‘kill squad’, subsequently nicknamed after The Beatles because of their British accents.
They could have been involved in as many as 20 beheadings.
They are accused of involvement in as many as 20 beheadings, including those of British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.
This week, the pair were tracked down by ITV News.
David Haines’ daughter Bethany told ITV that she wanted to get “justice” for her father.
During an interview Elsheikh said he would "offer my sincere apology" for his role with Islamic State.
He added he has "no problem apologising" for moving Mr Haines from location to location during his time in captivity.
Kotey, however, avoided an apology and said instead : "I find your line of questioning irritating."
