Islamic State’s ‘Beatle’ suspect detained in London

A British man accused to be a member of “The Beatles” cell of ISIS (Islamic State), responsible for brutal killings, was detained by the police upon arrival in London after being deported from Turkey where he served 7.5 years for terrorism charges, BBC news and other UK media reported.

The kidnap-and-murder cell held dozens of foreign hostages in Syria between 2012 and 2015 and was known as “The Beatles” because of the British accents of their four members.

The "Beatles" are accused of abducting and killing, including by beheading, at least 27 journalists and relief workers from the United States, Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Russia and Japan.

Aine Davis, who converted to Islam and changed his name to Hamza in 2013, left UK and joined ISIS the same year. 

The former subway worker was captured in Turkey in 2015 and convicted of membership of a terrorist organization, but he refused he was part of the Beatles cell.

One other Beatles executioner, Muhammed Emwazi, also known as Jihadi John was killed by a US drone strike in Syria in 2015.

Two other members of the cell were captured by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)  in Syria and handed to Western forces. 

Alexanda Kotey, 38, aka Jihadi George, was extradited from the UK to the US in 2020, pleaded guilty to his role in the deaths and was sentenced to life in prison in April.

El Shafee Elsheikh, 34, aka Jihadi Ringo, was also extradited to the US at the same time, was found guilty of all charges in April, and will be sentenced on August 12.