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- Mar 11, 2013
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Once again, much greater solicitude for the perpetrators than for the victims.
US won’t seek death penalty against pair of IS militants,” by Eric Tucker, Associated Press, August 19, 2020:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has notified the British government that it will not pursue the death penalty against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages, removing a hurdle in the potential prosecution of the men in the United States.
The decision could open the door to Britain to begin sharing evidence with federal prosecutors in the U.S for any possible case against El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey. An earlier British court ruling had effectively blocked the sharing of evidence with U.S. authorities because the U.S. had not offered assurances that the death penalty, which was abolished years ago in the United Kingdom, was off the table….
The British men, captured two years ago by a Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed militia, are accused of participation in a brutal Islamic State group known for beheadings and barbaric treatment of American aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria….
The men were transferred to U.S. custody last October as Turkey invaded Syria to attack Kurds who have battling the Islamic State alongside American forces. They are being held overseas. Barr said that was not a long-term solution, so he set a deadline for action.
He said the British government had until Oct. 15 to resolve any legal objections it may have and to provide U.S. authorities with the evidence that they seek. Otherwise, the men will be transferred to Iraqi custody for prosecution by Iraqi authorities, Barr wrote. He said the U.S. would not provide to third countries that might impose the death penalty any evidence it has already received, or may received, from the United Kingdom.
The British government confirmed that it had received the letter, with the Home Office saying in a statement that its top priority has always been to protect national security and to deliver justice for families. It said it was working with international partners
The decision is a significant development in years of wrangling over Kotey and Elsheikh. The U.S. and British governments have an agreement to share documents, records and other evidence in criminal investigations. In 2015, the Justice Department asked for evidence that Britain had gathered on the “Beatles,” saying it was doing its own investigation into Americans who were murdered in Syria.
British authorities had been willing to provide the U.S. with evidence even without assurances that the men would not be executed if convicted.
In July 2018, after lawyers for Elsheikh demanded a review of the decision to allow the men to be put on trial in the U.S., Britain’s Home Office temporarily suspended cooperation with U.S authorities.
Then, in March, the British Supreme Court held that it was unlawful for the United Kingdom to provide evidence to a foreign country that could be used in a death penalty prosecution….
US won’t seek death penalty against pair of IS militants,” by Eric Tucker, Associated Press, August 19, 2020:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has notified the British government that it will not pursue the death penalty against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages, removing a hurdle in the potential prosecution of the men in the United States.
The decision could open the door to Britain to begin sharing evidence with federal prosecutors in the U.S for any possible case against El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey. An earlier British court ruling had effectively blocked the sharing of evidence with U.S. authorities because the U.S. had not offered assurances that the death penalty, which was abolished years ago in the United Kingdom, was off the table….
The British men, captured two years ago by a Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed militia, are accused of participation in a brutal Islamic State group known for beheadings and barbaric treatment of American aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria….
The men were transferred to U.S. custody last October as Turkey invaded Syria to attack Kurds who have battling the Islamic State alongside American forces. They are being held overseas. Barr said that was not a long-term solution, so he set a deadline for action.
He said the British government had until Oct. 15 to resolve any legal objections it may have and to provide U.S. authorities with the evidence that they seek. Otherwise, the men will be transferred to Iraqi custody for prosecution by Iraqi authorities, Barr wrote. He said the U.S. would not provide to third countries that might impose the death penalty any evidence it has already received, or may received, from the United Kingdom.
The British government confirmed that it had received the letter, with the Home Office saying in a statement that its top priority has always been to protect national security and to deliver justice for families. It said it was working with international partners
The decision is a significant development in years of wrangling over Kotey and Elsheikh. The U.S. and British governments have an agreement to share documents, records and other evidence in criminal investigations. In 2015, the Justice Department asked for evidence that Britain had gathered on the “Beatles,” saying it was doing its own investigation into Americans who were murdered in Syria.
British authorities had been willing to provide the U.S. with evidence even without assurances that the men would not be executed if convicted.
In July 2018, after lawyers for Elsheikh demanded a review of the decision to allow the men to be put on trial in the U.S., Britain’s Home Office temporarily suspended cooperation with U.S authorities.
Then, in March, the British Supreme Court held that it was unlawful for the United Kingdom to provide evidence to a foreign country that could be used in a death penalty prosecution….
