Harrison Thorp 5:40 a.m.
Friday, September 3, 2021 5:39 am

Alexanda Kotey will spend mandatory life in prison for his role in the beheading of war journalist Jim Foley. (Reuters) Right, John and Diane Foley at the dedication of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center in May. (Rochester Voice file photo)

WASHINGTON - A British-born man accused in the beheading of American war journalist James Foley pleaded guilty Thursday to U.S. criminal charges, according to federal court records.
Alexanda Kotey, 37, formerly a British national before his citizenship there was revoked, was an alleged member of a four-member Islamic State cell nicknamed "The Beatles" because of their British accents.
The cell is accused of detaining or killing multiple Western hostages besides Foley, and taking part in graphic Islamic State videos posted online showing their beheadings.
Court records of a 24-page indictment also accuses the cell of various forms of torture including forcing hostages to fight each other, multiple protracted beating and waterboarding.
Foley, a freelance journalist and war correspondent, was beheaded by ISIS in August 2014 after nearly two years in captivity in northern Syria. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation was created the same year by his family to improve the safety and treatment of independent freelance conflict journalists, to advocate for the safe return of Americans kidnapped abroad and to improve U.S. hostage policy.
In May the Rochester Community Center was renamed the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center during a dedication ceremony attended by his parents, Diane and John, who live in Rochester.
"How do we keep his indomitable spirit for journalism and the safety of journalists and those taken hostage? By things like this," Diane Foley said at the dedication.