IS claims it has beheaded Japanese journalist Kenji Goto
In a video, Goto is seen kneeling and a masked man stands beside him with a knife
A handout photo taken on October 27, 2010, and released by an international relief organisation on January 21, 2015, shows Japanese journalist Kenji Goto delivering a lecture during a symposium in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP
BEIRUT:
The Islamic State group released a video on Saturday purportedly showing the beheading of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.
In it, Goto is seen kneeling, dressed in an orange outfit, as a masked man standing beside him with a knife blames the Japanese government for his "slaughter."
It ends with a still photo of the body with the head resting on the back.
The executioner appears to be the man known as Jihadi John, speaking with a southern English accent and addressing the Japanese government.
He speaks directly to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
"Because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."
The video made no mention of a Jordanian pilot also held hostage and threatened with execution.
The Japanese government condemned the incident and said they were outraged by the horrific act.
Earlier in the week, IS had executed the other Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa.
The Islamic State group released a video on Saturday purportedly showing the beheading of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.
In it, Goto is seen kneeling, dressed in an orange outfit, as a masked man standing beside him with a knife blames the Japanese government for his "slaughter."
It ends with a still photo of the body with the head resting on the back.
The executioner appears to be the man known as Jihadi John, speaking with a southern English accent and addressing the Japanese government.
He speaks directly to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
"Because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."
The video made no mention of a Jordanian pilot also held hostage and threatened with execution.
The Japanese government condemned the incident and said they were outraged by the horrific act.
Earlier in the week, IS had executed the other Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa.