Second Briton identified as member of infamous ISIS execution squad

A second member of the ISIS quartet of executions called the "Beatles" was identified
(Image credit: Getty Images)

U.S. and British intelligence have identified a second member of a quartet of brutal Islamic State prison guards and executioners known by former Western prisoners as the "Beatles" because of their British accents, The Washington Post and BuzzFeed News report. The leader, "Jihadi John" (Mohammed Emwazi), is believed to have been killed in a U.S. airstrike in November 2015, but the whereabouts of the second identified member, Alexanda Kotey — either "Ringo" or "George" — are unknown.

The quartet of Britons earned a reputation as one of the cruelest groups of ISIS guards, subjecting their prisoners to torture and mock executions. Britain's Home Office said through a spokeswoman that she could "neither confirm nor deny" Kotey's identity and role in ISIS. The "Beatles" are responsible for executing seven British, U.S., and Japanese hostages, plus 18 Syrian army troops.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.