Norwegian, Chinese feared executed by ‘Islamic State’

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said then that the description given by the IS about Fan matches a Chinese missing overseas, adding that China is firmly opposed to violence against innocent civilians. “The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant report and is deeply shocked by that”, Hong said.

“We are working on the authentication of this information and photographs published today”, he said, referring to the photographs in Dabiq. “This is a despicable and barbaric act”, the Norwegian prime minister said.

The man was identified as Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, who was believed to have been held captive since January.

It identified Grimsgaard-Ofstad as a candidate for a masters degree in political science born in 1967.

Almost two months ago, Dabiq showed photos of two men wearing yellow suits and next to them was a sign that read “for sale”.

The group did not specify when or where the two had been captured.

Islamic State also said it had originally planned to bring down a Western plane over Egypt’s Sinai but changed its target to a Russian one after Moscow launched airstrikes in Syria.

Solberg reiterated that Norway would never pay ransom, saying “it will put more Norwegians in danger, help the funding of terrorism, and breach our worldwide obligations”.

The demand for a cash ransom also stood in contrast to the group’s other hostage demands, though journalists, aid workers and others have been abducted for ransom by a variety of militants in the Syrian civil war. It has a professional layout, complete with photos and graphics.