Trial of IS 'Beatle' begins as defence claims mistaken identity
The trial of an Islamic State fighter accused of belonging to a notorious kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" began in earnest Wednesday near Washington, with his defence claiming he had been mistakenly identified.
El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, is accused of involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.
They were among at least 27 people abducted in Syria between 2012 and 2015 by a four-member cell dubbed the "Beatles" by its captives due to the jihadists' British accents.
The "Beatles" allegedly tortured and killed the four American victims, including by beheading, and IS released videos of the murders for propaganda purposes.
Elsheikh has denied the charges and faces life in prison if convicted.
The hostages "all experienced brutal mistreatment at the hands of the British men they called the Beatles," prosecutor John Gibbs said Wednesday as part of his opening statement.
He said Elsheikh, who was stripped of his British citizenship, had "knowingly conspired" to take Westerners hostage.
As the victims' families listened in the courtroom Gibbs described propaganda videos showing the...