A man accused of being part of the so-called 'Beatles' Islamic State terror cell which was allegedly behind the brutal killing of Bolton aid worker Alan Henning has been charged with terrorism offences and will appear in court today, Thursday.
Following an investigation by the Met Counter Terrorism Command, Aine Leslie Davies, 38, was held by officers last night, Wednesday, when he arrived in the UK after he was deported from Turkey.
He flew into Luton airport after his release from a Turkish jail where he was serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for membership of the terror group.
During his trial, Davies, from West London, denied being part of the cell, nicknamed the Beatles because of members' British accents.
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The 'Beatles' cell is believed to have been made up of four members - all thought to have grown up in west London - who volunteered to fight for IS in Syria and ended up guarding Western hostages.
The cell, said to be made up of ringleader Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, Aine Davis, Alexanda Kotey, and Elsheikh, was allegedly responsible for the brutal killings of several Western and Japanese captives, including Britons Alan Henning and David Haines.
Mr Henning was part of aid convoy from Bolton to help orphans when he was captured and tragically killed in Syria in 2014.
Davies has been charged with alleged terrorism offences in 2014 and having a firearm for terror purposes, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Davies will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later today.
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.
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“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.”
A warrant was issued at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January 2015 for Davies’ arrest and accused him of trying to fund terrorism.
He is said to have denied being part of the Beatles cell which tortured and beheaded western hostages in Syria.
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