The daughter of a Perthshire man killed by Islamic State says her family’s lives have been “on pause” waiting for the trial of a four-man terrorist group.
David Haines was an aid worker in Syria when he was abducted in March 2013. He was killed by his captors 18 months later.
Known as “The Beatles” – because of their British accents – the last of four members of the organisation is now on trial in the United States.
The group is said to have tortured and beheaded hostages in Syria, including several journalists and aid workers.
David’s daughter, Bethany Haines, attended a courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, where El Shafee Elsheikh appeared on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old is accused of murder, hostage taking, supplying material support to a terrorist organisation and being involved in the conspiracy to cause death of a number of Western hostages, including Bethany’s dad.
Bethany said she has taken great support from being with other families as she faces this trial.
She said: “I can be here today with the support and help of my family and all the other families involved in this, and particularly the ex-hostages.
“They’re still living with this.
“And yet they find the time to support me and talk to me about horrible things that have happened to them.
“That takes a certain type of person and they are absolutely amazing. And so are the other families.”
El Shafee Elsheikh denies being a part of the so-called B-schools Group of British hostage takers but has admitted to being part of Islamic State.
However, he claims that he was not involved in the hostages’ deaths.
His trial, in Virginia, is expected to last three to four weeks.
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