'ISIS Beatle' Aine Davis, 38, appears in UK court charged with terrorism offences

11 August 2022, 07:15 | Updated: 11 August 2022, 11:40

A British man accused of being the fourth member of the 'ISIS Beatles' has appeared in a UK court charged with terrorism offences.

Aine Leslie Davis, 38, of no fixed address, spoke briefly to confirm his name and date of birth when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, wearing a grey long-sleeve T-shirt and grey trousers.

Davis, originally from west London, was arrested at Luton Airport on Wednesday evening after being deported to England by Turkish authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

On Thursday he was charged with various terrorism offences under sections 15, 17 and 57 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, the Metropolitan Police said, following an investigation by its Counter Terrorism Command.

He has been charged with possession of a firearm for terror purposes, and two charges relating to funding terrorism, after a friend allegedly tried to take 20,000 euro to Syria.

The charges relate to alleged offending in 2013 and 2014.

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He did not enter any pleas to the charges and was remanded into police custody. He will next appear at the Old Bailey on September 2 for a pre-trial hearing.

Islam-convert Davis has previously denied being one of the 'Beatles' - who were given the nickname by western hostages in Syria because of their English accents.

A spokesman for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: "The CPS authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Aine Leslie Junior Davis for terrorism offences in 2014, and after being deported to England by Turkish authorities he has been arrested at Luton airport following his return to the UK.

"Mr Davis, 38, has been charged with terrorism offences and possession of a firearm for a purpose connected with terrorism.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Davis are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."

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US authorities have said the 'Beatles' group killed 27 hostages, beheading several of them.

Videos of the murders were sent around the world, causing outrage.

'Beatles' cell ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, widely known as Jihadi John, was killed in a drone strike in 2015.

Londoner Alexanda Kotey was jailed in the US in April for his part in the torture and murder of American hostages.

His co-defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh, will be sentenced in August for his role in the plot.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will always ensure the safety and security of the UK, and will not allow anything to jeopardise this."

"We can confirm that a British national has been deported from Turkey to the UK, but it would be inappropriate to comment further while police enquiries are ongoing."