Shaheen Statement Following 'Beatles' Admission of Involvement in Captivity of Kayla Mueller

SHAHEEN: “These Terrorists Deserve Swift Justice in the United States”

**Senator Shaheen continues to work closely with the families of Americans killed by ISIS and federal officials to make sure these ISIS terrorists are brought to trial in the United States**

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen issued the following statement after a report that the two members of the British jihadist group known as “the Beatles” admitted in an on-camera interview to having a role in the captivity of Kayla Mueller – an American who was tortured and killed by ISIS. Senator Shaheen has been working closely with the families of Americans killed by ISIS to make sure these terrorists are brought to trial in the United States. 

“The so-called ‘Beatles’ have been in legal limbo for far too long,” said Shaheen. “This has been an excruciating process for the families of James Foley, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff and Kayla Mueller who have fought tirelessly for a fair trial in the United States. This admission by these terrorists further underscores the need for a trial in the U.S. justice system. We owe this to the memories of James, Steven, Peter and Kayla. I’ll continue to fight for these families and work with the administration and UK officials to deliver this outcome.”

Shaheen has led calls for this on behalf of the family members of James Foley, Peter Kassig, Steven Sotloff and Kayla Mueller, four Americans killed at the hands of ISIS jihadists.

Shaheen successfully included language in last year’s defense authorization legislation to establish a senior coordinator position within the Executive Branch for all ISIS detainee issues. This position would lead all diplomatic engagements and planning regarding the future of ISIS detainees. 

In 2018, Senator Shaheen travelled to Syria to visit northeast Syria to view the detention facilities housing ISIS terrorists.