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Sydney man in Syria 'posts picture of son holding decapitated head' | Sydney man in Syria 'posts picture of son holding decapitated head' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A shocking image has been posted on Twitter showing a young boy, reportedly raised in the suburbs of Sydney, holding up the decapitated head of a slain Syrian soldier. | A shocking image has been posted on Twitter showing a young boy, reportedly raised in the suburbs of Sydney, holding up the decapitated head of a slain Syrian soldier. |
The image, taken in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, was posted on the Twitter account of Khaled Sharrouf, a Sydney man who fled to Syria last year and is now an Islamic State fighter, News Corp reported on Monday. | The image, taken in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, was posted on the Twitter account of Khaled Sharrouf, a Sydney man who fled to Syria last year and is now an Islamic State fighter, News Corp reported on Monday. |
The photo is believed to be that of his son and was posted with the words, “Thats my boy!” | The photo is believed to be that of his son and was posted with the words, “Thats my boy!” |
The boy, wearing a cap, checked pants and a blue shirt, struggles with both arms to hold up the head of the slain soldier. | The boy, wearing a cap, checked pants and a blue shirt, struggles with both arms to hold up the head of the slain soldier. |
It is one of several photos posted by Sharrouf, who security agencies believe travelled to Syria with his family. One shows Sharrouf also holding the decapitated head. | It is one of several photos posted by Sharrouf, who security agencies believe travelled to Syria with his family. One shows Sharrouf also holding the decapitated head. |
Another photo shows Sharrouf dressed in camouflage fatigues and posing with his three young sons who are holding guns, the flag of the Islamic State behind them. | Another photo shows Sharrouf dressed in camouflage fatigues and posing with his three young sons who are holding guns, the flag of the Islamic State behind them. |
Sharrouf, a convicted terrorist, is wanted by Australian Federal Police over crimes in Syria and Iraq, which include the execution of a captured Iraqi official in the desert outside the Iraqi city of Mosul. | Sharrouf, a convicted terrorist, is wanted by Australian Federal Police over crimes in Syria and Iraq, which include the execution of a captured Iraqi official in the desert outside the Iraqi city of Mosul. |
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, said the pictures were another example of the “hideous atrocities” such groups were capable of. | The prime minister, Tony Abbott, said the pictures were another example of the “hideous atrocities” such groups were capable of. |
“We see more and more evidence of just how barbaric this particular entity is,” he said. | “We see more and more evidence of just how barbaric this particular entity is,” he said. |
The defence minister, David Johnston, said he was disgusted by the picture. | |
“I’m obviously revolted,” he told ABC radio. | |
Johnston said it underscored the importance of the government’s proposed counter-terrorism laws. | |
But he stressed it should not be taken out of context and condemned the picture as a “shocking misrepresentation” of Islam and Muslims. | |
“I’m very upset about this sort of thing completely colouring our view of Muslims,” Johnston said. “The vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving and peaceful people.” |