The 38-year-old British national is accused of belonging to a brutal Islamic State cell nicknamed ‘the Beatles’
Local media reported that a British national was accused of working with the notorious Islamic State (formerly ISIS), which is known for beheading and torturing western captives.
Aine, 38, was taken into police custody shortly after she arrived at Luton airport, north London, on Tuesday night.
“A 38-year-old man was arrested this evening after he arrived into the UK on a flight from Turkey,”According to the police agency, he was arrested at a South London station for terrorism-related offenses.
According to the Times Davis was taken into custody on “suspicion of terrorist fundraising, being concerned in a terrorist funding arrangement and possession of an article for terrorist purposes.”
While officials have so far offered few details on the suspect’s identity – with the Home Office only confirming that a UK national had been deported from Turkey to face charges – the Times, the Guardian and the BBC each reported that Davis is accused of belonging to an IS cell known as ‘the Beatles,’ nicknamed for its members’ clear British accents.
It was infamous for brutal acts against hostages from western countries in Syria and Iraq, which took place between 2014 and 2015. Some of the videos and posts were made online to spread propaganda. Its three other alleged members have since been killed or captured, with two arrested and facing charges in the United States, while its believed ringleader, ‘Jihadi John,’ was killed in an American drone strike near Raqqa, Syria in November 2015.
Davis was convicted of terrorism and spent eight years in Turkish prison. He is accused of being part of IS-affiliated fighting in Syria. However, he insists on his innocence, and has denied any involvement with this group. Images of Davis posing alongside armed militants during his Turkey trial were dismissed by him. “stupid photos”This was meant to be a joke.
However, Davis’ wife was charged in the UK in 2014 for sending him cash while he was overseas, and at the time prosecutors alleged he was “supporting the familiar black flag adopted by extremist jihadist terrorist groups”IS. Davis also acknowledged he attended the same London mosque as ‘Jihadi John’ (real name Mohammed Emwazi) before traveling to Syria, but maintains he did not join the kidnapping and executions once they arrived in the war-riven country.
Davis has not been officially charged by the British, but it is possible that his situation will become more complicated due to his previous imprisonment in Turkey. Under UK law, individuals may not be prosecuted for the same offense multiple times, even if a previous prosecution occurred in a foreign country, a principle known as ‘double jeopardy.’ Even short of charges, police could still invoke a terrorism prevention measure which allows for certain restrictions on suspects and closer scrutiny from law enforcement.
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