Kenji Goto beheaded by IS (image FB page)

Islamic State released a 1 minute and 7 second video clip on Saturday evening which appeared to show Japanese journalist Kenji Goto beheaded by a masked member of IS. The captor was dressed in the familiar black clothing with a voice sounding like the British man known as “Jihadi John” heard on previous videos.

ISIS is holding captive a Jordanian fighter pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh though it is not clear if he is now dead or alive. A deadline was set at midnight Thursday for Jordan to release Sajida al-Rishawi, a failed female suicide bomber in exchange for him. Al- Rishawi had attempted to attack a wedding party in Amman but failed to detonate her explosives.

Kenji Goto with photo of Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh (left) and  Sajida al-Rishawi,(right, AFP)

Haruna Yukawa beheaded (video still)

Goto was seen at an earlier date with another Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa who was then beheaded. Goto was put on view holding a photo of the dead man. IS demanded $200 million from Japan, the amount pledged by that government in non-military aid to other countries to fight the organization and in turn both men would be released. The money was not forthcoming and Goto’s mother, Junko Ishido made a tearful plea on camera hoping her son’s life would be spared.

The video released by al-Furqan Media Foundation was being checked for authenticity and showed Goto in an orange jumpsuit kneeling in what appears to be a desert ravine. His captor waves a knife at the camera and states the following,

‘To the Japanese government,

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.

Abe, (referring to Japanese Prime Minister) 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.’

Goto shuts his eyes as the knife is drawn to his throat and the video fades out. The next shot is of Goto’s lifeless body, hands tied behind him and head placed on his back.

An account allegedly associated with IS tweeted the following,

IS STATE…

Kenji Executed,
Kurdish Commanders killed
attack border between Egypt and Gaza
in Libya the Jordanian Embassy attacked

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated, “I feel strong indignation at this inhumane and contemptible act of terrorism. I will never forgive these terrorists. Japan will work with the international community to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.”

It seems from Kenji Goto’s words on video just before capture saying that if anything happened the responsibility was on him that he had considered and understood the risks. This made him all the more brave for continuing to report on war highlighting the difficulties faced by ordinary civilians just as he had done in other conflict zones around the world!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.