Two ISIS members part of cell known as ‘the Beatles’ charged with hostage-taking of Americans

Author: CLARE HYMES, CBS News
Published: Updated:
In this March 30, 2019, Alexanda Amon Kotey, left, and El Shafee Elsheikh, who were allegedly among four British jihadis who made up a brutal ISIS cell dubbed “The Beatles,” speak during an interview with The Associated Press at a security center in Kobani, Syria. HUSSEIN MALLA/AP

The Justice Department announced charges Wednesday against two British nationals who joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), for their role in the torture and brutal killings of western hostages, including American citizens.

El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Amon Kotey are in FBI custody and were expected to soon arrive in the United States, the Justice Department said Wednesday morning.

The charges against them include hostage-taking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death, and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists resulting in death. The pair, part of a cell known as “The Beatles,” are expected to make their first appearance inside a U.S. courtroom later Wednesday.

They are alleged to have been guards and interpreters for the ISIS cell, and to have participated in the mental and physical abuse of four Americans: James Wright Foley, Kayla Jean Mueller, Steven Joel Sotloff and Peter Edward Kassig. According to court documents, Kotey and Elsheikh were also responsible for coordinating the hostage ransom negotiations for Western prisoners conducted over email from November 2013 to February 2015.

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