A video released late on Saturday appears to show the execution of Japanese reporter Kenji Goto by a fighter of the Islamic State group (ISIS).
The video, titled “A Message To The Government Of Japan,” purports to show a black-clad militant with a British accent beheading Goto.
“You, like your foolish allies in the Satanic coalition, have yet to understand that we, by Allah’s grace, are an Islamic caliphate with authority and power, an entire army thirsty for your blood,” the militant says.
“Abe,” he continues, referring to the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, “because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin.”
The Associated Press reports that the video was released on militant websites.
It resembles previous videos released by the group that showed the execution of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and Britons Alan Henning and David Haines.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said that the video “appears genuine.”
HUFFINGTON POST