Families of Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh’s victims have spoken of their relief after experiencing years of “excruciating pain” – with the two British-born ‘ISIS Beatles’ having arrived in the US for trial

Two British-born ‘ISIS Beatles’ have appeared in a US court to face trial for their alleged involvement in beheadings of American hostages in Syria.

Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, had been under US military guard in Iraq for the last year and are now in federal custody.

The families of their alleged victims have spoken of their relief they are finally facing the first steps towards justice.

Mike Haines, brother of British aid worker David Haines who was captured and beheaded in 2014, said the families have suffered “excruciating pain”.

“The last three years have been a long, horrible waiting game,” he continued.

“I, like the other families, am relieved that the fate of these two men is closer to being decided but this is just the beginning.”