The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Life in prison for ‘Beatles’ cell terrorist
Amember of the Islamic State terror cell known as The Beatles has been jailed for life after admitting his role in the murder of hostages in Syria.
Alexanda Amon Kotey, 38, originally from Paddington, London, showed no emotion as judge Thomas Selby Ellis delivered his verdict at Alexandria District Court, Virginia, USA, while members of his victims’ families watched on.
Also present were relatives of Scottish hostage David Haines, who was murdered by Kotey’s cell.
Kotey was given one life sentence for each of the eight counts he has pled guilty to, which are due to run concurrently.
Judge Ellis described his actions as “egregious, violent and inhumane” but praised the victims and their family as “undeniably heroes”.
Speaking of the victims, Judge Ellis said: “These were not prisoners of war, these weren’t soldiers in the field – they were soldiers for good.”
The court heard 13 impact statements from members of the victims’ families including those of British humanitarians Mr Haines and Alan Henning.
“We have all witnessed (the) exceptionally moving, heart-rending statements of these victims’ families,” Mr Ellis said, becoming audibly emotional himself following the statements.
“Countries celebrate heroes and we should celebrate these individuals who demonstrated courage, purpose and compassion under the most difficult of circumstances.
“The victims of the hostage-taking by Isis are undeniably heroes.”
Kotey’s co-defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh, was also present for the victim impact statements at the court hearing ahead of his sentencing in August after being convicted of his role in the murder plot.
Among those reading statements were Mr Haines’ wife Dragana, daughters Athea and Bethany, and his brother Mike Haines, from Dundee.
Mr Haines addressed Kotey directly in court and forgave him.
Speaking to Kotey, he said: “You have inflicted more pain than I can ever put into words... our lives will never be the same again. Today I can say to you, you no longer have power over me and mine. I forgive you.”
Dragana Haines was less forgiving, telling both Kotey and Elsheikh “For all I care you can live long and suffer,” she said.
As part of his plea bargain, Kotey is expected to spend 15 years in jail in the US and then may be sent to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence, where he may face further charges relating to the killings of Mr Henning and Mr Haines.
Kotey, an Islamic convert, was one of four so-called Islamic State militants nicknamed The Beatles by their captives due to their British accents, who carried out wanton acts of brutality in the mid 2010s.