By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A militant Islamic State group known as “The Beatles”, which beheaded hostages in America is set to appear before a U.S. Judge on Friday. He will decide whether to place him into near-solitary confinement for the rest of his life.

U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis will be holding a hearing in Alexandria (Virginia) for Alexanda Kotey from London, who has pleaded guilty at the sentencing hearing.

Kotey, along with his militant comrades, nicknamed the captives “The Beatles” due to their British accents. Hours of testimony by family members from the victims is possible during this hearing.

Although the charges carry a life sentence, Ellis will recommend that Kotey be moved to a different prison or placed in near-solitary confinement.

Kotey’s lawyers asked Ellis for consideration in court filings. They requested that Ellis consider Kotey’s admission of guilt and agreement to share information with U.S. investigators.

British authorities were advised by U.S. officials that they will not pursue the death penalty against Kotey.

Kotey had been a British citizen. However, the British government removed his citizenship. The Islamic State cell held journalists and other aid workers captive, tortured them, and distributed videotapes showing gruesome executions online.

Kotey confessed to torturing hostages with waterboarding, electric shocks and a stun gun.

El Shafee Elsheikh (another member of the “Beatles”) was also on trial. Elsheikh was found guilty by a Virginia federal jury after four hours of deliberations. He faces charges that include conspiracy to murder and lethal hostage taking.

Ellis will sentence Elsheikh on September 11.

Mohammed Emwazi (third member of “Beatles”) was killed in an American-British attack on Syria in 2015.