Britain turns over evidence to US in IS ‘Beatles’ case

In this June 23, 2014, file photo, fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq. It’s becoming more expensive to live in the self-styled caliphate envisioned by the Islamic State group as militant-held cities grow increasingly isolated, impeding access to basic goods and services. Coalition airstrikes and ground operations in Iraq and Syria are making it difficult for products to move in and out of militant-strongholds, triggering price inflation and leading to the creation of black markets. (AP Photo, File)

LONDON — Britain said it has turned over to U.S. authorities evidence against two members of an alleged terror cell known as “the Beatles,” ending a drawn out legal battle to block the handover of the information.

The evidence against Shafee El Sheikh and Alexanda Kotey was given to U.S. prosecutors after the High Court of Justice in London refused to allow El Sheikh’s mother to appeal earlier rulings that paved the way for the move.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted late Tuesday that “the further evidence to support the prosecution of Kotey & El Sheikh has now finally been transferred to the U.S. I sincerely hope that justice for the victims and their families will now be served.”

El Sheikh’s mother had sought to block the evidence transfer for more than two years, arguing that turning over the information would violate data protection laws because it could lead to the execution of her son.

U.S. Attorney General Robert Barr last month promised that the two suspects wouldn’t face the death penalty if they were tried in American courts.

Kotey and El Sheikh are alleged to have beheaded 27 people, including three U.S. and two British hostages, while fighting for the so-called Islamic State group in Syria. They are believed to have been part of a four-man cell that became known as “the Beatles” because all four spoke with British accents.

Both men were raised in London before traveling to Syria to join Islamic State. British authorities revoked their citizenship because of their actions in Syria.

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