Islamic State ‘Beatle’ backs slavery, disagrees with traffic tickets
Captured jihadi El Shafee Elsheikh tells reporter ‘I would do it all again’
A British Islamic State fighter who was one of the so-called ‘Beatles’ has defended the terror group’s atrocities in a chilling interview.
El Shafee Elsheikh, 29, was “detached and hostile” during the interview, refusing to make eye contact and repeatedly declining to answer questions. He told Al Aan reporter Jenan Moussa that he had no regrets about his time in Syria.
Elsheikh is accused of participating in torture and murder as one of the so-called “Beatles”, four British IS fighters given their nickname by captives who heard their English accents.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The brutal group held more than 20 Western hostages – and beheaded seven American, British and Japanese journalists and aid workers and a group of Syrian soldiers,” says the Daily Mail. Their victims include British aid workers David Haines and Alan Hemming, and US journalist James Foley.
Gruesome videos purporting to show these atrocities were distributed online, adding to the group’s notoriety.
Elsheikh, who was born in Sudan but grew up in west London, denied that he had participated in torture or beheadings and said that he did not watch the videos.
However, he defended Islamic State’s use of Yazidi women as sex slaves, which he said was justified in Islamic scripture. “I do not denounce slavery,” he said.
Asked if he disagreed with any of the terror group’s actions, he said: “Traffic tickets and other such things that have no place in the law of Allah.”
Asked about their “Beatles” nickname, Elsheikh said he did not listen to music, which is considered “haram” (forbidden) by some conservative sects of Islam. However, he added: “'I don't think John Lennon would like it much.”
Off-camera, Moussa said, he bragged:“I would do it all over again.”
The journalist tweeted afterwards that she was “struck” by Elsheikh’s lack of remorse, as well as his hypocritical attitude towards the West.
Elsheikh and Kotey, who have been stripped of their British citizenship, are being held in Kobane, Syria by Syrian Democratic Forces while the UK government and international allies decide where they will face trial.
The group’s ringleader, Mohammed Emwazi - nicknamed Jihadi John - was killed in November 2015 by a US drone strike. The fourth member, “Paul” - real name Aine Lesley Davis - is serving a seven and a half year prison sentence in Turkey for terror offences.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published