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The Beatles of ISIS unmasked

Updated on: 09 February,2016 09:55 AM IST  | 
Agencies |

Jihadi John and his accomplices were named after the iconic British musicians because of their English accents. The group are believed to be responsible for the beheadings of around 27 mostly Western hostages. 

The Beatles of ISIS unmasked

London: British accomplices of slain Islamic State (IS) terrorist executioner “Jihadi John” were unmasked yesterday as Londoners who formed part of a so-called “Beatles” terror gang.


“Paul” has been identified as Aine Davis, who is in custody in Turkey. PIC/Metropolitan Police/PA
“Paul” has been identified as Aine Davis, who is in custody in Turkey. PIC/Metropolitan Police/PA


Mohammed Emwazi became known as “John” in reference to John Lennon, lead singer of the iconic British rock group, due to his English accent.


Mohammed Emwazi became known as “John” with reference to John Lennon, due to his English accent.
Mohammed Emwazi became known as “John” with reference to John Lennon, due to his English accent.

Emwazi was killed in a US drone strike in Raqqa, Syria, last November following his masked appearance in gruesome propaganda videos showing him executing hostages with a knife.

“Ringo” is 32-year-old Alexe Kotey, a Londoner of Ghanaian and Greek-Cypriot background whose whereabouts are unknown. PIC/ITV
“Ringo” is 32-year-old Alexe Kotey, a Londoner of Ghanaian and Greek-Cypriot background whose whereabouts are unknown. PIC/ITV

Paul and Ringo
It has now emerged that two of his gang members with English accents were given the nickname of “Paul” and “Ringo”, a reference to other Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. “Paul” has been identified as 31-year-old Aine Davis, who is in custody in Turkey for suspected terrorism, and “Ringo” as 32-year-old Alexe Kotey, a Londoner of Ghanaian and Greek-Cypriot background whose whereabouts are unknown.

The identity of the fourth member dubbed “George”, referring to George Harrison, has yet to be confirmed. Davis' wife, 27-year-old Amal el-Wahabi, became the first woman to be jailed for terrorism offences connected to Syria in 2014 after she was caught paying a smuggler 20,000 euros in cash for her husband in Turkey.

The group are believed to be responsible for the beheadings of around 27 mostly Western hostages. The terrorist “Beatles” were friends long before they travelled to Syria, according to ITV News. Kotey converted to Islam in his teens and all three men attended the Al-Manaar mosque in Ladbroke Grove, west London, which rejected their hardline opinions

Also read: IS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in Syria drone strike

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