Jenan Moussa,one of the Arab world best Journalists, has interviewed a notorious ISIS fighter. His arrogance during the interview is striking. This twitter thread is a reminder for those who deny or underestimate ISIS.
A captured ISIS fighter, who was allegedly part of a group accused of beheading journalists, told @jenanmoussa about his time in the Caliphate. https://t.co/53BOEntZRG
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) April 8, 2018
1/ EXCLUSIVE: I had first TV interview with notorious ISIS member from UK, part of group dubbed "The Beatles".
Accused of beheading reporters, he was caught by Kurds.
I met him face to face. He got angry at me. Interview in English for @akhbar.
Part1:pic.twitter.com/CaAV81towQ
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
4/ "ISIS-Beatle" El Shafee Elsheikh tells me treatment by Kurds in jail is "fine, not bad. You eat, sleep, you wait to be interrogated."
He refused to tell me how/where he got captured. But Kurds told me: He was arrested near Deir Ezzor &planned to move to Idlib.@akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
5/ Notorious UK #ISIS-Beatle El Shafee Elsheikh also tells me he was interrogated by "American gov and SDF-officials (Kurds)." But claims "there was NO British involvement".
Says: "First department of Defence; they were Okay. Then the FBI – the least respectable of the bunch."
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
6/ UK ISIS-Beatle admitted to me he was ISIS member. Refused to talk about what he did.
Kept saying: "When they get along with legal process we can talk about accusations against me."
In other words: Get me out of Syria &I'll give in UK some (selective) info on my time in ISIS.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
8/ #ISIS-Beatles r accused of beheading journalists but I wasnt scared meeting him.
I admit I was worried. Esp since I sat only 50cm from him. I was worried he could ram razor blade e.g. in my eye or neck.
I asked guards if they searched him. They said: Yes dont worry.@akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
12/ As I sat next to ISIS-Beatle member, couple of things struck me:
a/ He never looked me in the eye. It was like I wasn't there.
b/ He's a very angry man. Hate for West. Told me he wants to live in Sudan.
c/ On the other hand, he prefers to be tried in UK.
d/ No remorse.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
13/ Also interesting: After UK #ISIS-member El Shafee Elsheikh became angry at me &cut the interview, we still talked off camera for about 15 minutes mainly in Arabic.
He told me that if time goes back to 2012, "I would do it all over again".
Really this guy has no remorse.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
15/ I also wanted to know what happened to U.S. journalist James Foley, U.S. aid worker Kayla Mueller, UK reporter John Cantlie, Lebanese cameraman Samir Kassab, Mauritanian reporter Ishaq Mukhtar etc. All dead/disappeared.
But El Shafee ElSheikh shut me out, refused to answer.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
16/ I also asked UK member of ISIS Beatles why he left UK, how he went to Syria.
Told me: "Every environment has corruption but nothing beats the West. I didn't contact no imam, i didnt contact anybody. I just knew some people who were already there. Arranged with them &I came".
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) April 8, 2018
As dozens die in suspected gas attack in Syria, British Beatles member slams Syrian civilians for wanting to leave. He says Syria less evil and corrupt than the West https://t.co/kA3XiZXEkd
— Larisa Brown (@larisamlbrown) April 8, 2018
Here is part 2 of @jenanmoussa extraordinary interview with one of the ISIS jailers who tormented and tortured western hostages. His arrogance, even now, is astounding. https://t.co/Pn3Uy7DWdn
— Shiraz Maher (@ShirazMaher) April 8, 2018
The fact he said he would “do it all again”, really sums up most ISIS members. The others just aren’t as brazen, brave, or stupid (describe it as you will) as him. Don’t forget how these guys acted from 2013-15 when all the momentum was on their side. https://t.co/PQeYhU4tlt
— Shiraz Maher (@ShirazMaher) April 8, 2018
The arrogance of the whole thing is astounding.
“What didn’t you agree with ISIS about?”
“Traffic tickets.” https://t.co/H9pvQDrpnZ
— Shiraz Maher (@ShirazMaher) April 8, 2018
Haunting to hear a British voice refusing to denounce the enslavement of Yazidi women. https://t.co/mnZw2bqIvS
— Charlie Peters (@CDP1882) April 8, 2018
Fascinating interview. He’s arrogant, unapologetic. Asked if he denounces slavery practiced by #ISIS, he says “No I don’t denounce slavery.” https://t.co/L1lshEHKXT
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) April 8, 2018