The families of hostages killed by ISIL have been reacting to the naming of a British militant who fronted some of the beheading videos. Some are
ADVERTISEMENTThe families of hostages killed by ISIL have been reacting to the naming of a British militant who fronted some of the beheading videos.
Some are calling for Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, to be caught alive to face justice.
The Kuwaiti-born man first appeared in a video in 2013 showing the murder of US journalist James Foley.
The victim’s mother, Diane Foley, told reporters: “He (Emwazi) did have the benefits of a comfortable upbringing and yet he’s using gifts and talents for such hatred and brutality.”
The British Prime Minister is defending UK intelligence services, amid claims Emwazi was known to them and could have been stopped from going to Syria.
“I am satisfied we have in place the right ways of scrutinising the work that these extraordinary men and women do on our behalf,” said David Cameron. “And all I can say is even in the last few months their dedication and work has saved us from plots on the streets of the United Kingdom.”
Emwazi studied computer science at the University of Westminster but came to the attention of the intelligence services in 2009.
Matt Bryden, an expert on extremism, told reporters:
“The problem is the trade-off between democracy and a more vigilant response. Because in a authoritarian country he would have been swept up and put in prison based on suspicions. But we have a higher bar of evidence necessary to convict in Western countries.”
Emwazi is thought to have fronted videos showing the killing of five US and British hostages.