The mother of one of the British Daesh* militants — El Shafee Elsheikh — held by the Kurdish militia after his capture in Syria and facing prosecution in the US, lost a legal challenge on 18 January in the UK High Court.
Maha El Gizouli argued it was unlawful for Sajid Javid to assist the US prosecution in what could turn to be a case in American court against her son and another member of the group of British fighters nicknamed "The Beatles," Alexanda Kotey.
The woman's lawyers said that her son's human rights would be violated as he could be sentenced to death by US prosecution, while Britain is unequivocally opposed to the death penalty.
El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey have already been stripped of their UK citizenship, are said to be involved in the torture and killing of at least 27 Western hostages in Syria.
"This group of terrorists is associated with some of the most barbaric crimes committed during the conflict in Syria," Graeme Biggar, Director of National Security at Britain's interior ministry, said in a written statement to the court.
Mr. Javid responded to the court's decision, pleased with the outcome.
Pleased High Court has upheld my decision. El Sheikh and Kotey are suspected of the most heinous crimes — it's my priority they face prosecution as quickly as possible & deliver justice for the victims. I will do whatever it takes to keep our country safe https://t.co/MavRBZvt95
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) January 18, 2019
The UK government was criticized by opponents to the death penalty after the decision by the UK Crown Prosecution Service, announced in 2018, stipulated there was "insufficient evidence" for the two to be tried in the UK.
READ MORE: US Military Chief Calls on UK to Take Back Daesh 'Beatles' Militants From Syria
*Daesh (aka Islamic state/ISIL/ISIS/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia
