WATCH: The identity of the ISIS militant seen in many beheading videos has been revealed. Stuart Greer reports.
TORONTO – The Islamic State militant known as “Jihadi John,” the man pictured in several videos threatening the beheadings of several hostages, has been identified, according to reports.
The BBC identified the man as Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born British man from West London.
Dressed head-to-toe in black, with a mask leaving only his eyes visible, the ISIS executioner first appeared in a video threatening American journalist James Foley while brandishing a knife.
Speaking with an English accent, the masked man also appeared in videos purportedly showing the beheadings of U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff, British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning, and American aid worker Peter Kassig.
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According to The Washington Post, Emwazi is from an upscale family and graduated from college with a degree in computer programming. He is believed to have travelled to Syria in 2012.
People claiming to be friends of Emwazi spoke to the Post, identifying the masked man.
“I have no doubt that Mohammed is Jihadi John,” a friend told the newspaper. “He was like a brother to me. . . . I am sure it is him.”
According to the Associated Press, a London-based Muslim lobbying group, said there are “striking similarities” between the masked militant and Emwazi.
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British counter-terrorism officials would not confirm the man’s identity.
However, an unnamed U.S. intelligence official confirmed to CBS News the ISIS militant’s name.
–with a file from The Associated Press
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