EGYPT-CROATIA/HOSTAGE-STATE U.S. expresses condolences to Croatian hostage's family after reports of his death

Record ID: 144286

  • Title: EGYPT-CROATIA/HOSTAGE-STATE U.S. expresses condolences to Croatian hostage's family after reports of his death
  • Date: 12th August 2015
  • Summary: WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 12, 2015)(STATE TV) DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT, MARK TONER ENTERING PRESS BRIEFING ROOM (SOUNDBITE)(English) DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT, MARK TONER, SAYING: "We've obviously seen Prime Minister Milanovic's statement about the reported murder of a Croatian citizen Tomislav Salopek by ISIL terrorists in Egypt. We understand the government of Croatia is still working to confirm this brutal act. Our thoughts are obviously with Mr. Salopek's wife and children, his family and the Croatian people at this very difficult time." JOURNALIST ASKING A QUESTION (SOUNDBITE)(English) DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT, MARK TONER, SAYING: "We obviously condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific violence and brutality that ISIL continues to carry out across the region. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Croatia, with Egypt, and all of our partners and friends in the fight against terrorism." JOURNALIST ASKING A QUESTION TONER CONCLUDING BRIEFING
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADUG282HU3Z93FSKZQ4CRMHU60
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: FOR VIDEO OF TOMISLAV SALOPEK, PLEASE SEE EDIT 3164-EGYPT-CROATIA/HOSTAGE
    The U.S. says it is aware of reports of a Croatian man purportedly beheaded by the Egyptian offshoot of Islamic State. The militant group published a photograph it says showed the beheaded body of Tomislav Salopek, the SITE monitoring service said on Wednesday (August 12).
    "Our thoughts are obviously with Mr. Salopek's wife and children, his family and the Croatian people at this very difficult time," said U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner.
    Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the picture, which carried a caption that said: "killing of the Croatian hostage, due to his country's participation in the war against Islamic State, after the deadline expired."
    Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said authorities were examining the image.
    "We obviously condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific violence and brutality that ISIL continues to carry out across the region. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Croatia, with Egypt, and all of our partners and friends in the fight against terrorism," said Toner.
    The photograph, circulating on Twitter accounts of Sinai Province supporters, shows a man's severed head placed on his body, with a knife driven into sand next to it and the black Islamic State flag in the background.
    Next to the picture are screenshots of Arabic language news articles with the headlines: "Croatia confirms its support for Egypt in efforts to fight terrorism and extremism" and "Croatia affirms its continued support for the Kurdistan region."
    Last week, an online video purportedly from Sinai Province showed a man who identified himself as Tomislav Salopek and said the group would kill him in 48 hours unless Muslim women in Egyptian jails were freed.
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