British ‘Beatle’ terrorist sentenced to life in prison
Alexanda Kotey has been charged over the deaths of Western hostages
A British terrorist has been jailed for life for his role in the torture and killing of Western hostages in Syria.
Alexanda Amon Kotey, 38, originally from west London, appeared in the federal court in Virginia, US, after being accused of lethal hostage taking and murdering captives,
In court, Kotey came face to face with the families of his victims and was ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The British ‘Beatle terrorist: Alexanda Kotey
Kotey 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.
Kotey's co-defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh was also present in court, he was convicted of his role in the murder plot earlier this month and has a sentencing hearing later in the year.
The terror cell also comprised ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, who was killed in a drone strike in 2015, and Aine Davis, who was jailed in Turkey in 2017.
The death of Western hostages in Syria
Before appearing in court, he pleaded guilty to a host of charges relating to US victims.
Families of other murdered hostages including British humanitarians David Haines and Alan Henning read impact statements to the court before his sentencing.
Speaking ahead of the sentencing hearing, Mr Haines' brother, Mike Haines from Dundee, said he would relish the opportunity to address the court.
"That is the real reason (for) going out to read my impact statement to the court, to draw a line in the sand and say: 'Yes, you have played a big part in my family's life, you have had a hold on my family's life”, he said.
"However, now, that stops.”
British terrorist sentenced to life in prison
Kotey was given one life sentence for each of the eight counts he has pleaded guilty to, which are due to run concurrently. They are;
- Four counts of hostage taking resulting in death.
- Conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death.
- Conspiracy to murder United States citizens outside of the United States.
- Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, hostage taking and murder, resulting in death.
- Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation resulting in death.
He admitted his guilt for the eight charges in September last year in a US court, apparently agreeing to fully co-operate with authorities as part of his plea agreement.
He said when he departed the UK he held "the belief and understanding that the Islamic concept of armed jihad was a valid and legitimate cause and means by which a Muslim defends his fellow Muslim against injustice".
He admitted his role in capturing hostages and after his involvement came to an end he worked in IS's recruitment division as a sniper, and in the terror group's "English media department".
Kotey was charged in relation to the killings of four US hostages, journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.
He may be returned to England to serve part of his sentence, where he is likely to face fresh charges against other victims.
Judge Ellis described his actions as "egregious, violent and inhumane".
Speaking of Kotey's victim's Judge Ellis said: "These were not prisoners of war, these weren't soldiers in the field...they were soldiers for good."