UK police have shared details&nbsp;how they&nbsp;carried out their&nbsp;probe into the Islamic State's (IS) dreaded kidnap cell and dubbed it the “Beatles”.

An alleged British terrorist El Shafee Elsheikh belonging to the Islamic State was remanded to custody in the UK last week after being deported by Turkey. Richard Smith, head of London police’s counter-terrorism unit said the case involved “very small pieces of a jigsaw”.&nbsp;Smith said the militants involved always kept their faces covered and withheld their names from hostages.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-beatles-cell-member-held-in-uk-charged-over-terrorism-offences-505877">Also Read:&nbsp;Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member held in UK</a>

Smith described the probe as “piecing together a trail of breadcrumbs” and conducting inquiries to assist the prosecution in the US. Police found the information provided by freed hostages as a crucial link to probe the terrorists, including the beheading of captives by IS terrorists named the “Beatles” due to their British accent.

Watch:&nbsp;Islamic State ‘Beatles’ cell member convicted in US

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The dreaded “Beatles” cell was responsible for a spate of kidnappings in Syria between 2012 and 2015. IS terrorists Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh were sentenced by a US court while Mohammed Emwazi dubbed “Jihadi John” was killed in a US drone strike in Syria in 2015.&nbsp;

Richard Smith informed that “snippets of conversation” between the hostages and the alleged kidnappers led to a key breakthrough in the probe. Kotey and Elsheikh had reportedly revealed that they were once arrested by UK police in London. The police were able to check their database as video footage emerged of a stabbing incident.

Kotey and Elsheikh were captured by the Kurdish militia in Syria in 2018 and turned over to the US forces in Iraq and then transported to the US. UK police said ultimately “fragments of breadcrumbs” along with information and intelligence played a major role in identifying and prosecuting the terrorists.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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UK police have shared details how they carried out their probe into the Islamic State's (IS) dreaded kidnap cell and dubbed it the “Beatles”. An alleged British terrorist El Shafee Elsheikh belonging to the Islamic State was remanded to custody in the UK last week after being deported by Turkey.

UK police have shared details how they carried out their probe into the Islamic State's (IS) dreaded kidnap cell and dubbed it the “Beatles”. An alleged British terrorist El Shafee Elsheikh belonging to the Islamic State was remanded to custody in the UK last week after being deported by Turkey. Richard Smith, head of London police’s counter-terrorism unit said the case involved “very small pieces of a jigsaw”. Smith said the militants involved always kept their faces covered and withheld their names from hostages. Also Read: Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member held in UK Smith described the probe as “piecing together a trail of breadcrumbs” and conducting inquiries to assist the prosecution in the US. Police found the information provided by freed hostages as a crucial link to probe the terrorists, including the beheading of captives by IS terrorists named the “Beatles” due to their British accent. Watch: Islamic State ‘Beatles’ cell member convicted in US The dreaded “Beatles” cell was responsible for a spate of kidnappings in Syria between 2012 and 2015. IS terrorists Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh were sentenced by a US court while Mohammed Emwazi dubbed “Jihadi John” was killed in a US drone strike in Syria in 2015. Richard Smith informed that “snippets of conversation” between the hostages and the alleged kidnappers led to a key breakthrough in the probe. Kotey and Elsheikh had reportedly revealed that they were once arrested by UK police in London. The police were able to check their database as video footage emerged of a stabbing incident. Kotey and Elsheikh were captured by the Kurdish militia in Syria in 2018 and turned over to the US forces in Iraq and then transported to the US. UK police said ultimately “fragments of breadcrumbs” along with information and intelligence played a major role in identifying and prosecuting the terrorists. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Piecing together trail of breadcrumbs': How UK police traced IS ‘Beatles’ terrorists

British police on Thursday charged a man alleged to be a&nbsp;member of the Islamic State (IS) terror cell nicknamed the "Beatles".

Aine Davis, 38,&nbsp;was charged with terrorist offences. Davis reportedly landed at Luton airport on a flight from Turkey after being deported. He is due to be produced before Westminster court today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sentences-islamic-states-saudi-born-canadian-terrorist-to-life-imprisonment-501982">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-sentences-islamic-states-saudi-born-canadian-terrorist-to-life-imprisonment-501982" hreflang="en">US sentences Islamic State's Saudi-born Canadian terrorist to life imprisonment</a>

Davis was also charged with possession of a firearm to conduct terrorism. He allegedly helped the IS in holding foreign hostages in Syria. The cell was called the "Beatles" due to their British accent.

Watch:&nbsp;Will the Islamic State rebuild its caliphate?

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Police said he had converted to Islam and adopted a new name Hamza. There are at least four members of "Beatles" cell accused of abducting journalists and relief workers belonging to the US, Britain, Europe, New Zealand and Russia.

An&nbsp;IS terrorist named&nbsp;Alexanda&nbsp;Kotey was extradited from the UK to the US two years ago and was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing people. Another former British national El Shafee Elsheikh was also extradited to the US and found guilty of all charges. Elsheikh is due to be sentenced next week. Another "Beatles" terrorist Mohamed Emwazi was killed by a US drone strike in Syria in 2015.

Elsheikh and Kotey were captured by&nbsp;the Kurdish militia in Syria and handed over to&nbsp;US forces in Iraq.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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British police on Thursday charged a man alleged to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) terror cell nicknamed the "Beatles". Aine Davis, 38, was charged with terrorist offences.

British police on Thursday charged a man alleged to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) terror cell nicknamed the "Beatles". Aine Davis, 38, was charged with terrorist offences. Davis reportedly landed at Luton airport on a flight from Turkey after being deported. He is due to be produced before Westminster court today. Also Read: US sentences Islamic State's Saudi-born Canadian terrorist to life imprisonment Davis was also charged with possession of a firearm to conduct terrorism. He allegedly helped the IS in holding foreign hostages in Syria. The cell was called the "Beatles" due to their British accent. Watch: Will the Islamic State rebuild its caliphate? Police said he had converted to Islam and adopted a new name Hamza. There are at least four members of "Beatles" cell accused of abducting journalists and relief workers belonging to the US, Britain, Europe, New Zealand and Russia. An IS terrorist named Alexanda Kotey was extradited from the UK to the US two years ago and was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing people. Another former British national El Shafee Elsheikh was also extradited to the US and found guilty of all charges. Elsheikh is due to be sentenced next week. Another "Beatles" terrorist Mohamed Emwazi was killed by a US drone strike in Syria in 2015. Elsheikh and Kotey were captured by the Kurdish militia in Syria and handed over to US forces in Iraq. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Islamic State 'Beatles' cell member held in UK; charged over terrorism offences

Two terrorists of Islamic State El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36 pleaded not guilty in a US court to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-islamic-state-terrorists-known-as-beatles-to-appear-in-us-court-333288">Also Read:&nbsp;Two Islamic State terrorists known as 'Beatles' to appear in US court</a>

Elsheikh and Kotey dubbed the "Beatles" due to their British accent were brought in from Iraq to face charges in US for the murder of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

Judge TS Ellis said, "time is required in order to achieve the ends of justice in this case", even though he asked for a trial to be held "as soon as possible".

Kotey and Elsheikh were stripped of their UK citizenship as the US assured the British government that they won't be given the death penalty. The former British nationals have been in US custody since October last year after being captured in January 2018 by Syrian Kurdish forces.

The two men have been charged with hostage-taking, conspiracy to commit murder among other crimes as they face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The duo allegedly abducted American, European and Japanese hostages in Syria from 2012 to 2015 and allegedly tortured and killed their victims, including by beheading.

According to US authorities, both men travelled to Syria in 2012 after being radicalized in Britain.

As they were brought in to the US, the families of Kayla Mueller, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff and James Foley welcomed their transfer to face justice in the country.

"James, Peter, Kayla and Steven were kidnapped, tortured, beaten, starved, and murdered by members of the Islamic State in Syria," the families said in a joint statement. "Now our families can pursue accountability for these crimes against our children in a US court," the statement added.

Two terrorists of Islamic State El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36 pleaded not guilty in a US court to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages.

Two terrorists of Islamic State El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36 pleaded not guilty in a US court to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages. Also Read: Two Islamic State terrorists known as 'Beatles' to appear in US court Elsheikh and Kotey dubbed the "Beatles" due to their British accent were brought in from Iraq to face charges in US for the murder of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Judge TS Ellis said, "time is required in order to achieve the ends of justice in this case", even though he asked for a trial to be held "as soon as possible". Kotey and Elsheikh were stripped of their UK citizenship as the US assured the British government that they won't be given the death penalty. The former British nationals have been in US custody since October last year after being captured in January 2018 by Syrian Kurdish forces. The two men have been charged with hostage-taking, conspiracy to commit murder among other crimes as they face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The duo allegedly abducted American, European and Japanese hostages in Syria from 2012 to 2015 and allegedly tortured and killed their victims, including by beheading. According to US authorities, both men travelled to Syria in 2012 after being radicalized in Britain. As they were brought in to the US, the families of Kayla Mueller, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff and James Foley welcomed their transfer to face justice in the country. "James, Peter, Kayla and Steven were kidnapped, tortured, beaten, starved, and murdered by members of the Islamic State in Syria," the families said in a joint statement. "Now our families can pursue accountability for these crimes against our children in a US court," the statement added.

Islamic State 'Beatles' terrorists plead not guilty in US court

Two alleged Islamic State(IS) terrorists known as the "Beatles" will face trial in the US over their alleged involvement in beheadings of American hostages in Syria, the Trump administration announced today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-isis-terrorists-held-in-pakistans-punjab-province-330222">Also Read:&nbsp;Two ISIS terrorists held in Pakistan's Punjab province</a>

"These charges are the product of many years of hard work in pursuit of justice for our citizens slain by ISIS. Although we cannot bring them back, we can and will seek justice for them, their families, and for all Americans," Attorney General William P. Barr said.

The two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-special-forces-killed-16-taliban-is-terrorists-in-operations-256867">IS</a> terrorists - Alexanda Kotey,36, and El Shafee Elsheikh,32, - were UK citizens but their citizenship was withdrawn by the British government. Kotey and Elsheikh have allegedly killed US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.

"Our message to other terrorists around the world is this -— if you harm Americans, you will face American arms on the battlefield or American law in our courtrooms," Attorney General Bill Barr said, adding,"either way, you will be pursued to the ends of the earth until justice is done."

FBI Director Christopher Wray said: "Their goal is to motivate people to launch attacks against Western targets wherever they are, using any means available."&nbsp;

Kotey and Elsheikh are expected to be produced in &nbsp;in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday and face charges of life in prison. The duo had got their name the "Beatles" due to their British accent.

They allegdly tortured and killed civilians, including by beheading, and released propoganda videos for Islamic State.

Two alleged Islamic State(IS) terrorists known as the "Beatles" will face trial in the US over their alleged involvement in beheadings of American hostages in Syria, the Trump administration announced today.

Two alleged Islamic State(IS) terrorists known as the "Beatles" will face trial in the US over their alleged involvement in beheadings of American hostages in Syria, the Trump administration announced today. Also Read: Two ISIS terrorists held in Pakistan's Punjab province "These charges are the product of many years of hard work in pursuit of justice for our citizens slain by ISIS. Although we cannot bring them back, we can and will seek justice for them, their families, and for all Americans," Attorney General William P. Barr said. The two IS terrorists - Alexanda Kotey,36, and El Shafee Elsheikh,32, - were UK citizens but their citizenship was withdrawn by the British government. Kotey and Elsheikh have allegedly killed US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig. "Our message to other terrorists around the world is this -— if you harm Americans, you will face American arms on the battlefield or American law in our courtrooms," Attorney General Bill Barr said, adding,"either way, you will be pursued to the ends of the earth until justice is done." FBI Director Christopher Wray said: "Their goal is to motivate people to launch attacks against Western targets wherever they are, using any means available." Kotey and Elsheikh are expected to be produced in in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday and face charges of life in prison. The duo had got their name the "Beatles" due to their British accent. They allegdly tortured and killed civilians, including by beheading, and released propoganda videos for Islamic State.

Two Islamic State terrorists known as 'Beatles' to appear in US court