Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video yesterday that they said shows British journalist John Cantlie in captivity saying he will soon reveal “facts” about the group to counter its portrayal in Western media.
The Islamic State, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq, has already beheaded two American journalists and one British aid worker in recent weeks in what it said was reprisal for US air strikes against it in Iraq.
But in the new video posted on social media sites, the man identified as Cantlie appears in good health and promises to “convey some facts” in a series of “programmes,” suggesting there would be further instalments.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, ‘He’s only doing this because he’s a prisoner.
“He’s got a gun at his head and he’s being forced to do this.’ Right?” the man in the video, wearing an orange shirt and closely cropped hair, says.
“Well, it’s true. I am a prisoner. That I cannot deny. But seeing as I’ve been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands of the Islamic State, I have nothing to lose.”