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ISIS ‘Beatle’ convicted on all counts related to kidnapping and death of four Americans
Over the two-week trial, former hostages testified concerning the brutal beatings and torture they endured underneath the three members of the Beatles, who they nicknamed “John, George and Ringo.” Elsheikh, based on prosecutors, was “Ringo.”
Members of the family of the victims additionally testified throughout the trial, together with Kassig’s father, Edward, in addition to Foley’s mom and brother, Diane and Michael.
The three Beatles, Mohamed Emwazi, Alexanda Kotey and Elsheikh, would take hostages with the intention to demand the discharge of ISIS militants in jail or to gather ransom. Some hostages have been launched after giant ransoms have been paid, however others have been executed by the group on digital camera for propaganda movies.
Kotey pleaded responsible in September and Emwazi, who prosecutors say was liable for a number of of the beheadings of hostages, was killed in a drone strike in 2015.
“The proof demonstrates that they grew up collectively, radicalized collectively, fought as high-ranking ISIS fighters collectively, held hostages collectively, tortured and terrorized hostages collectively,” prosecutor Raj Parekh mentioned Wednesday. “What these horrific crimes left behind is a legacy of brutal killings and shattered households.”
A former ISIS member additionally testified throughout the trial, telling the jury that Elsheikh, who he recognized within the courtroom, was an ISIS fighter and gave the impression to be a high-ranking member. Omer Kuzu, 26, left his residence in Dallas, Texas, to hitch ISIS in 2014 and pleaded responsible in 2020 to conspiring to supply materials assist to ISIS.
“He was an vital particular person,” Kuzu testified, including that the kind of pistol he says Elsheikh carried “was an emblem of ISIS aristocracy,” as a result of the pistol, a Glock, was uncommon and costly.
Elsheikh’s protection has tried to assert that he was a “easy ISIS fighter,” and had been mistakenly recognized as a member of the infamous Beatles terror cell.
This story has been up to date with further particulars.