ALEXANDRIA (United States), Oct 10 ― Two members of the notorious Islamic State kidnapping cell dubbed the “Beatles” pleaded not guilty in a US court yesterday to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages. El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36, were flown to the US from...
According to the indictment, Kotey and Elsheikh were involved in abducting American, European and Japanese hostages in Syria from 2012 to 2015 along with two other British members of the ‘Beatles.’ — Reuters pic
Appearing from prison by videolink, they pleaded not guilty during a hearing in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia before Judge TS Ellis and waived their right to a speedy trial.The veteran judge said he wanted the trial to be held “as soon as possible” but “time is required in order to achieve the ends of justice in this case.”
Britain stripped them of their UK nationality but their transfer to the United States was made possible only after the US authorities assured London they would not seek the death penalty. They allegedly tortured and killed their victims, including by beheading, and the IS released videos of the murders for propaganda purposes.
Kotey and Elsheikh supervised detention facilities for hostages and allegedly coordinated ransom negotiations conducted by email, according to the US authorities. “There seemed to be no bounds to their sadistic methods, including crucifixion, waterboarding and tormenting their hostages with mock executions.”
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