Government defends not seeking death penalty assurances on Islamic State ‘Beatles’
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The government is defending a decision not to seek assurances two jihadists won’t be executed if they face justice in the US.
Two members of an Islamic State murder squad can face trial in the US after Britain chose not to seek assurances the pair won’t face the death penalty if found guilty.
Captured jihadists Alexanda Kotey and Shafee El-Sheikh are members of the “Beatles” group of IS fighters, so-called because the quartet all possessed British accents.
The group was behind the brutal beheadings of British and US journalists and aid workers.
On Monday, the government defended its decision not to seek assurances Kotey and El-Sheikh won’t be executed if they face justice in America, despite a growing backlash – including from among Conservative MPs.
Ministers have been accused of breaching the UK’s long-standing opposition to the death penalty, drawing anger from human rights groups.
The controversy has put Home Secretary Sajid Javid under scrutiny, after the decision was revealed in a letter, sent last month from Mr Javid to US attorney general Jeff Sessions, which was obtained by the Daily Telegraph.
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