Islamic State beheads Croatian hostage in Egypt

The Islamic State’s black flag could be seen in the background, and a knife pierces the sand next to the headless body.

The picture was posted on ISIS-affiliated Twitter accounts with the caption: “Execution of prisoner from Croatia – which has participated in war on the Islamic State – after deadline ended”.

Media reports on Wednesday sugested that Salopek may have been beheaded after an ISIS affiliate in Egypt published a photograph of what appeared to be Salopek’s decapited body.

Croatian troops also serve in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation force now in Afghanistan, and fought as part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

The Foreign Secretary has condemned the apparent murder of a Croatian hostage held by so-called Islamic State’s (IS) Egyptian affiliate. “If we confirm that it is indeed true, we will inform the media through a statement”.

The killing marked the first ISIS execution of a foreign captive in Egypt since the terrorist group arrived in the nation previous year.

“The killing of the Croatian hostage is a Satanic action that has nothing to do with religions and traditions”, Al-Azhar said.

The statement also said that Germany would do everything possible, with its global partners, “to push ISIS back, not just militarily but above all politically”, according to the AP news agency.

The group said in the tweet that Mr. Salopek was killed after “his government and the infidel Egyptian government abandoned him”. However, it bore markings consistent the filmed hostage demand the group made last week. It was not clear where the video was shot. “After the expiration of the time limit and the Government abandoned his apostasy and his Egyptian”.

The claims that Salopek had been killed appeared to be timed to undermine Sisi, coming a few days after the government held a lavish celebration for the opening of a new channel of the Suez Canal that was attended by hundreds of foreign dignitaries.

Salopek, a 31-year-old father of two, had been working with French geoscience company CGG when abducted from a auto roughly 22 kilometres west of Cairo.

Salopek’s abduction had been treated by police as a criminal kidnapping.

If officially confirmed, the incident will be the second of its kind by “State of Sinai”, after they pledged allegiance to the “Islamic State”. A spokeswoman for the ministry said she had no information. “She rejected the whole thing”.

Barnini says Salopek started working two months ago on a project for a sub-contractor of CGG. The company has an office in the leafy Maadi suburb, where many expats and diplomats live. He read from a script and demanded the freedom of all female Muslim prisoners.

That group, also known as ISIS and ISIL, has seized vast swaths of Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Islamic State militants have killed foreign journalists and aid workers, starting with American journalist James Foley in August past year.