Two members of an Islamic State cell dubbed the “Beatles” were to appear in a US court on Wednesday to face charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages, US officials said.

Former British nationals El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36, are accused of involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.

They are also suspected of involvement in the deaths of two Britons, Alan Henning and David Haines, and several other hostages including Japanese nationals.