Images of Terror

Looking directly at the camera, he threateningly addresses the American president: “I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy toward the Islamic State. Just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.” Chilling words and images have touched the world, revealing the barbarity of the jihadists, and are intended to reflect a very complex and well-organized structure of Islamic extremists who perform these soulless acts — even in the face of the pleas of a mother begging in a video to show mercy and not kill her captive son. The threat is not just against the U.S., but against anyone opposing their regime.

These extremists have already decapitated Christian children in Iraq, are raping and murdering mothers of minors, and are hanging the fathers and cutting their throats in public squares. Their goal is to attack all minorities and spread terror.

In addition to this terrible picture, it was shocking to see broadcasted videos of the brutal decapitations of two American journalists; they showed the shaven, anxious hostages dressed in orange prisoner uniforms, in an arid desert landscape, being forced to read a message of hate.

Intelligence teams and experts did not wait around to start looking beyond what was readily visible: they began analyzing images based on the silhouette of the terrorist, his movements and voice, the background scenery and other aspects that served as clues to identifying the executioner.

Did the same man decapitate both journalists? Theories are based on details of simple observation, like the fact that both hold the dagger in the left hand. The voice seemed to reflect a British accent from southern London. Experts claim that the owner of the voice and speech patterns sounded “identical” in both videos.

The executioner’s build and height appear to be the same in both cases: a thin man dressed entirely in black with eyes barely visible — though hidden behind a hood a knitted brow can be seen, showing anger, hate and frustration. The conclusion is that he really is the same terrorist from the Islamic State who executed James Foley and Steven Sotloff. This man is named John, a young 24-year-old from the middle class and a former rapper in London.

English newspaper The Guardian describes the executioner, according to witnesses, as “intelligent, educated and a devout believer in radical Islamic teachings.”

Thanks to biometric digital facial reconstruction technology, based on the voice and the iris, “John” has been identified as the suspect responsible for both murders. In the last tape he threatens to kill another captive, a British humanitarian volunteer.

In the face of these facts, Barack Obama stated that his country will not be intimidated. However, it is not just up to the U.S., but to all nations; these brutal acts must not be permitted to continue, and we should demand that those responsible be brought to justice.