Statement by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco on the Sentencing of El Shafee Elsheikh
Today, the men and women of the Department of Justice and our criminal justice system delivered justice. Today, we remember the four Americans for whom it was delivered: James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig. They were targeted and ultimately murdered because they stood for the very principle ISIS feared the most: freedom. The sentence imposed today brings to a close a long investigation of a barbaric enemy, but it does not erase the heartbreak of the Foley, Mueller, Sotloff, and Kassig families. Today is a reminder of the Justice Department’s unshakeable commitment to combatting terrorism around the world.
justice.govBrit charged in terror beheadings scheduled to plead guilty
One of two British nationals charged with joining the Islamic State group and conspiring to torture and behead American and European hostages in Syria is scheduled to plead guilty to criminal charges. Federal court records show a change of plea hearing has been scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, for Alexanda Amon Kotey. Kotey is one of four Islamic State members who were dubbed “the Beatles” by their captives because of their British accents.
news.yahoo.comFamilies of Americans detained abroad hold out hope that Biden administration will return their loved ones
However, it is not yet clear what immediate action the new administration will take to secure the release of dozens of Americans held overseas. Detained Americans can complicate U.S. diplomatic negotiations on other issues, and Iran is one country that has been accused of taking Americans hostage to gain leverage. The Biden administration hasn't explained yet how it plans to handle the Americans held in Iran. Brett McGurk, a presidential envoy for the Obama administration, is the official who brokered the swap. "My brother Siamak Namazi is now the longest held dual American-Iranian citizen, being held hostage by Iran since 2015."
cbsnews.comBrits accused in beheading of hostages plead not guilty
(AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two British men charged with helping the Islamic State group carry out executions and ransom negotiations for Western hostages pleaded not guilty Friday in a federal court. At a brief hearing Friday in the court just outside Washington, D.C., the two men pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. No trial date was set after both men waived their right to a speedy trial because of the case's complexity. A status hearing was set for Jan. 15 to set a trial date then. “This involves a long investigation involving multiple countries,” Fitzpatrick said when asked about the volume of evidence that must be weighed.
Pair of IS militants from Britain face charges in U.S. for conspiracy in Miami man’s beheading
Sotloff later appeared in the video the jihadists released in August 2014 of Illinois war correspondent James Foley’s beheading. We have been inspired by their memories and moved by the determination and grit of their families, families which will never rest until justice is done,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said. From 2012 to 2015, Kotey, Elsheikh, Davis and Emwazi were involved in ransom negotiations during the kidnapping, torture and killing of hostages. The 2nd one begins when you realize you have only one.”THE CHARGESPeter Kassig was a U.S. aid worker killed by Islamic militants in Syria. If convicted, Kotey and Elsheikh face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
US charges British IS members in deaths of American hostages
El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are two of four men who were dubbed “the Beatles” by the hostages because of the captors' British accents. The charges are a milestone in a yearslong effort by U.S. authorities to bring to justice members of the group known for beheadings and barbaric treatment of aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria. “If you have American blood in your veins or American blood on your hands, you will face American justice,” said Demers, the department's top national security official. The indictment charges the men in connection with the deaths of four American hostages — Foley, journalist Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller — as well as European and Japanese nationals who were also held captive. In July 2014, according to the indictment, Elsheikh described to a family member his participation in an IS attack on the Syrian Army.
Journalist's death helps to reshape US handling of hostages
A June survey sponsored by Foley's foundation said hostage families report significantly more helpful government interactions than before that overhaul, but still want more communication. Current and former government officials describe the hostage recovery process, and communicating with families, as an urgent priority. Yet a recent survey from Foley's foundation shows hostage families still want better clarity on U.S. policies and laws, including on ransom and just how far immunity from prosecution will extend. More work remains, though, including support on basic quality-of-life issues for hostages who do make it home. The foundation aims to fill that void, with a support network of sorts so hostage families can connect with each other.
chicagotribune.comFormer ISIS prisoners tell of torture in captivity
Former ISIS prisoners tell of torture in captivity Five former ISIS hostages spoke out about their captivity to The New York Times for the first time since their releases. They described the horrors that U.S. journalist James Foley and other captives endured before they were beheaded. Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi, who wrote the story, joins the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts to discuss her article.
cbsnews.comInvestigators believe they have ID'd ISIS executioner
Investigators believe they have ID'd ISIS executioner U.S. and British investigators believe they have identified the ISIS terrorist responsible for executing James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and David Haines. Officials also warned that despite this week’s airstrikes, both ISIS and al Qaeda remain a serious threat. Bob Orr reports.
cbsnews.comEffort to rescue Foley and Sotloff was larger than Bin Laden raid
Effort to rescue Foley and Sotloff was larger than Bin Laden raid The fighting force deployed to rescue journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff was made up of roughly 70 to 80 U.S. commandos, a much larger group than the one which killed Osama Bin Laden. While it appears the two Americans had once been held at the raid location, they were apparently moved prior to the operation. David Martin reports.
cbsnews.comAustin Tice and James Foley had "similarities in their personalities"
Austin Tice and James Foley had "similarities in their personalities" The parents of kidnapped journalist Austin Tice tell Clarissa Ward that James Foley and their son were friends. They also say that Foley helped search for their son before he was also kidnapped.
cbsnews.comBritish Muslims signing up to fight for ISIS
British Muslims signing up to fight for ISIS Hundreds of young men have left the UK to join the brutal terrorist group ISIS. The execution of journalist James Foley, apparently at the hands of a British citizen, has left the country struggling to understand how one of its own could be responsible for such an atrocity. Clarissa Ward reports.
cbsnews.comHeadlines at 7:30: Pope Francis makes phone call to parents of James Foley
Headlines at 7:30: Pope Francis makes phone call to parents of James Foley The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis made a phone call to the parents of murdered American journalist James Foley. Also, a new study from Columbia University has reversed autism in the brains of mice. "CBS This Morning" takes a look at some of today's headlines from around the globe.
cbsnews.com8/21: Inside the failed attempt to free hostages from ISIS; Ex-Virginia governor takes stand in his corruption trial
8/21: Inside the failed attempt to free hostages from ISIS; Ex-Virginia governor takes stand in his corruption trial The U.S. government admitted it tried to rescue American journalist James Foley and other hostages in Syria, but failed. Margaret Brennan has details on the unsuccessful raid and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's dire warning about the militant group; and, on his first full day on the witness stand, former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell testified that his marriage was so bad during his four years as governor, he put it "on hold." McDonnell and his wife are charged with accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and using their official positions to support businessman Jonnie Williams' health supplement business.
cbsnews.comInside the failed attempt to free hostages from ISIS
Inside the failed attempt to free hostages from ISIS The U.S. government admitted it tried to rescue American journalist James Foley and other hostages in Syria, but failed. Margaret Brennan has details on the unsuccessful raid and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's dire warning about the militant group.
cbsnews.comISIS' foreign fighters: James Foley's killer reportedly a British citizen
ISIS' foreign fighters: James Foley's killer reportedly a British citizen An international manhunt is under way for Foley's killer, reportedly a British citizen who leads a group of ISIS fighters holding western prisoners. A former hostage says that "John" was one of a group of guards called "The Beatles." Holly Williams reports.
cbsnews.comFormer CIA deputy director on what it will take to stop ISIS terror group
Former CIA deputy director on what it will take to stop ISIS terror group President Obama condemned ISIS on Wednesday for murdering James Foley and defended the latest U.S moves in Iraq. CBS News senior security analyst and former CIA deputy director Mike Morell joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss how difficult it is to find and rescue hostages like Foley.
cbsnews.comRemembering James Foley
Remembering James Foley The parents of James Foley addressed the media on Wednesday to discuss the life of their son. They said that Foley, who was beheaded by ISIS militants, lived out his passion as a journalist. Jim Axelrod explores how Foley documented humanity's refusal to abandon the light even when surrounded by darkness.
cbsnews.comWhat threat does ISIS pose to the homeland?
What threat does ISIS pose to the homeland? With the execution of American journalist James Foley, ISIS has essentially declared war on the U.S. CBS News' Bob Orr, Margaret Brennan and Major Garrett explain the threat that ISIS poses and how the U.S. can counter it.
cbsnews.comFormer Iraq ambassador on ISIS: "Containment is defeat"
Former Iraq ambassador on ISIS: "Containment is defeat" James Jeffrey, a former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq now with the Washington Institute, says President Obama is striking the right tone in condemning ISIS militants after the execution of journalist James Foley.
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