20. 08. 2014

Jihadists show video of beheading of U.S. journalist

20.8.2014. (Tanjug, B92) - The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has published a video claiming to show its members behead American journalist James Foley.

The 40-year-old freelancer went missing in Syria almost two years ago.

The extremists said that Foley was murdred in retaliation for the recent airstrikes the United States launched in Iraq, AP reported.

The family confirmed his death in a Facebook page set up in support of his release.

"We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people. We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world," James Foley's mother wrote.

Foley went missing in northern Syria while he worked as a freelance journalist for the Boston-based Global Post, and the AFP agency.

ISIS also published a video claiming to show another U.S. journalist held hostage, and identified him as Steven Sotloff.

The video was accompanied with a message to U.S. President Barack Obama, saying the life of the American citizen depended "on his next decision," i.e., U.S. moves concerning Iraq.