US won't pursue death penalty against ISIS 'Beatles' in exchange for British cooperation
Source: USA Today
US won't pursue death penalty against ISIS 'Beatles' in exchange for British cooperation
Kevin Johnson
USA TODAY
Published 5:05 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2020 | Updated 5:09 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2020
The Trump administration will not pursue the death penalty against two ISIS suspects in exchange for Britain's cooperation in the prosecution of the terrorists known as the "Beatles," allegedly linked to the kidnapping and murders of American and British hostages in Syria.
Attorney General William Barr, in a letter to Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel, said the U.S. was taking the action because it needed evidence held by the United Kingdom to pursue the prosecutions of Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, who are now in the custody of the U.S. military in Iraq.
Captives had referred to the two suspects as the "Beatles" because of their British accents.
Britain has traditionally sought assurances that the death penalty would not be sought as a condition of cooperation in cases involving other governments.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/19/us-wont-seek-death-penalty-against-isis-beatles-uk-cooperation/5609816002/