US General Calls On UK To 'Take Back IS Suspects'

Alexanda Kotey (left) and El-Shafee-Elsheikh (right)

A senior US military commander has called on the UK to take back two alleged Islamic State terrorists suspected of involvement in a series of beheadings.

El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are said to have been members of a four-man cell of IS executioners in Syria and Iraq, nicknamed "The Beatles" because of their British accents, who were responsible for killing a number of high-profile Western captives.

The men deny accusations against them.

Major General Patrick Roberson, commander of US special operations, called on the UK to take back Islamic State fighters and, when asked whether Elsheik and Kotey should be repatriated to the UK, Maj Gen Roberson told the BBC: "We would certainly like them to be."

He said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the US were "working very hard to make sure that the countries of origin get these foreign terrorist fighters back into their custody".

Maj Gen Roberson said it was a decision for each country involved, but added:

"I think the SDF and us would certainly like them to be repatriated to where they came from."

Downing Street said the UK would "work closely with our partners" to bring those fighting for so-called Islamic State, also known as Daesh, to justice "in the most appropriate jurisdiction".

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously said he does not want the men back in the UK.

Kotey and Elsheikh, who were raised in the UK, are believed to have been detained by Kurdish forces in Syria in January and have been stripped of their British citizenship.

The decision to extradite them to the United States was made after the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was "insufficient evidence" to try them in Britain.

Elsheikh's mother Maha Elgizouli has mounted a High Court challenge over the UK's sharing of evidence with US authorities under a "mutual legal assistance" (MLA) agreement.

She says it was "unlawful" for the government to do so without obtaining any assurance the pair will not face execution if convicted in the US.

Lawyers for Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who is contesting Ms Elgizouli's case, said it was not yet known whether the pair will be charged in the US, but that there is the "most powerful interest" in a proper investigation of their alleged crimes.

The case is being heard by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Mr Justice Garnham, who are expected to deliver their ruling at a later date.

Theresa May's official spokesman said: "We have said repeatedly that the Government will do whatever it takes to keep families, communities and our country safe and that the security of the UK will always come first.

"Those fighting for Daesh, whatever their nationality, who are captured in armed conflict must be properly brought to justice for their actions.

"Where there is evidence that serious crimes have been committed, we will work closely with our partners around the world to bring individuals to justice in accordance with legal due process in the most appropriate jurisdiction."