LONDON, 23 September, 2020, (BBC): The UK has sent the US evidence on two British alleged Islamic State (IS) militants, clearing way for a trial.

Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are accused of belonging to an IS cell dubbed "The Beatles", who were behind the killings of Western hostages.

It comes after Britain's High Court rejected the request by the mother of one of the suspects to block the transfer of information.

The men, in US military custody in Iraq, deny the charges.

The pair are alleged to have been members of an IS gang responsible for the death of hostages in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The victims - who included American journalists and British aid workers - were beheaded and their deaths filmed and broadcast on social media.

What is behind Britain's IS duo decision?

Who were the Islamic State group 'Beatles' cell?

Where should the IS 'Beatles' be tried?

The US sought the UK's help in the case but until recently a legal fight over the use of the death penalty stymied co-operation.

Last month, the US made clear the two would not be executed if found guilty.

IS once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of territory stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq. It imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.