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Boston Bombing Suspect's Friend Lied To FBI

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 28 Oktober 2014 | 23.13

By Sky News US Team

A college friend of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been convicted of lying to federal investigators.

Robel Phillipos, 21, was accused of misleading FBI agents during the investigation into the deadly 2013 Boston Marathon attack.

Prosecutors said Phillipos lied about being in Tsarnaev's dorm room while two other friends removed potential evidence three days after the bombing.

Defence attorneys claimed that Phillipos was a frightened 19-year-old who was too high on marijuana to clearly recall what occurred when he was in the room.

His friends, Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev, were both charged with obstruction of justice for removing a laptop and a backpack containing fireworks casings emptied of gunpowder.

Tazhayakov was convicted by a jury in July. Kadyrbayev entered into a plea deal a month later.

Phillipos' lawyers said FBI investigators intimidated their client and coerced a confession after five hours of questioning.

They called on family friend former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis to testify on his behalf.

Mr Dukakis told the court that he spoke to Phillipos five days after the attacks. He said the teen told him that he so confused during questioning that he could not remember what he told the agents.

Phillipos faces a maximum of eight years for each of the two counts he was convicted. Sentencing is set for 29 January.

Three people were killed and more than 260 others injured in the 15 April 2013 attack. 

Tsarnaev is accused along with his older brother of planting two pressure cooker bombs that exploded near the marathon finish line.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed during a shoot-out with police days after the bombings.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges and is awaiting trial.


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Dewani Trial: Driver Reveals 'Murder Plan'

One of the men involved in the murder of honeymooner Anni Dewani in Cape Town has been recalling events on the night she was killed.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo was giving evidence at the trial of her husband, British businessman Shrien Dewani, who is accused of plotting the murder.

Speaking through a translator, Tongo said on the night of the shooting in November 2011 he took the couple to a restaurant in Somerset West.

After they had eaten he drove them to the spot in Gugulethu he had agreed with killers Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda 'Spra' Qwabe.

When the two men saw him they launched themselves at the car, with one jumping on the bonnet.

The other pointed a gun at Tongo and forced him into the back seat with the newlyweds.

The gunmen demanded the three of them hand over their mobile phones, wallets and watches, and Anni started crying.

They then drove around Gugulethu before ordering Tongo out of the car as planned.

Tongo told the court: "At the stop sign, as decided, I was told to leave the car and the gentleman would be next to get out."

As agreed he then reported the 'carjacking' to police and eventually went with them to the Cape Grace hotel where the couple were staying.

Tongo said he stayed at the hotel where the following day Shrien Dewani went up to him and asked if the job had been done.

Later Tongo told the court he decided to come clean about his involvement in the planning and execution of the murder to give himself "peace of mind".

He made a full confession to police following the arrests of Mziwamadoda and Xolile and was subsequently given an 18-year jail sentence.

On Monday the court heard from gay prostitute Leopald Leisser who claimed he saw Dewani before he was married and the pair engaged in a series of hardcore sex acts.

Dewani denies orchestrating the murder of his 28-year-old wife. He returned to the UK following her death but was extradited to stand trial.


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IS Claims New Video Shows Cantlie In Kobani

Islamic State has released a new video purporting to show British hostage John Cantlie in the embattled Syrian border town of Kobani.

Narrating the video in the style of a news report, Mr Cantlie counters media claims that IS fighters are being driven out of the town.

He says IS has in fact gained control of large areas of Kobani, despite continual US-led airstrikes.

He adds that IS militants are "mopping up" against Kurdish fighters defending the town and that the weeks-long battle is "coming to an end".

"Contrary to what the Western media would have you believe, it is not an all-out battle here now. It is nearly over," he says.

Video: Analysis: Latest IS Hostage Video

"As you can hear, it is very quiet, just the occasional gunfire."

The 43-year-old photojournalist claims to be in an area of Kobani reported to be held by Kurdish forces, but says they are nowhere to be seen.

"Urban warfare is about as nasty and tough as it gets," he says.

"And it is something of a speciality of the mujahideen."

Video: Hostage Families' 'Mental Torture'

The Foreign Office says it is aware of the tape and is analysing its content.

Sky News cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video or whether the British hostage is in Kobani.

The five-minute, 32-second video, entitled "Inside 'Ayn al-Islam'", opens with what IS claims is an aerial shot of the town. 

It then shows Mr Cantlie purportedly walking through the war-torn streets, addressing the camera.

Video: Hostage's Family In Video Appeal

He refers to several Western media reports published within the last two weeks. 

IS has now released seven videos  featuring the British hostage since August.

In the latest footage, Mr Cantlie is dressed entirely in black. In previous videos, Mr Cantlie speaks from behind a desk wearing an orange jumpsuit.

He appears to be in good health.

Video: Dad Of John Cantlie Appeals To IS

Mr Cantlie was captured in northern Syria in late 2012 while working as an independent photojournalist.

Family members have issued numerous impassioned appeals for his release. 

His father Paul, 80, died last week, shortly after recording a final video message for his son's captors from his hospital bed.

IS, also known as ISIS and ISIL, controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria. 

1/18

  1. Gallery: US-Led Airstrikes on Kobani

    Smoke and flames rise over a hill near the Syrian town of Kobani after an airstrike, as seen from the Mursitpinar crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province

  2. US military forces again focused airstrikes on the area near the Syrian city in their campaign to turn back Islamic State forces and also hit oil facilities held by the militant group

  3. Three IS fighters pray as others inspect a hill in the outskirts of Kobani

  4. A Kurdish fighters position in the outskirts of the Syrian town

  5. Members of media watch Kobani from a hill near the Mursitpinar border crossing

  6. Syrians wait to cross to the northern Syrian city of Tal Abyad at the Akcakale border gate in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey

  7. Kurdish refugee children from Kobani in a camp in the southeastern town of Suruc

  8. A Turkish army tank drives downhill, in front of ruins of Kobani

  9. A Turkish flag flutters on the top of a silo in the Syrian town

  10. Turkish Kurds watch Kobani from a hill near the Mursitpinar border crossing

Since August it has published a number of videos showing the beheadings of four Western hostages.

They include British aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines and US journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley.


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Rob Ford: Era Of Crack-Smoking Mayor At An End

The brother of Rob Ford, the Toronto mayor notorious for his public drinking and illegal drug abuse while in office, has failed in his attempt to take over the job.

John Tory, a moderate conservative, claimed victory instead, with 40% of the vote - ahead of Doug Ford who took 33%.

Rob Ford's four-year tenure as mayor of Canada's largest city was marred by his drinking and crack cocaine use.

He announced last month that he would not seek re-election as he battles a rare form of cancer. His brother, a city councillor, ran in his place.

Doug Ford's supporters booed when he congratulated Mr Tory on his victory. Doug Ford later said the scandals played a part in the loss but said he was "super proud" of his brother.

"I still believe he's the best mayor ever," Doug Ford said.

1/30

  1. Gallery: A Look Back As The Rob Ford Era Ends

    May 2013: The Toronto Star and the Gawker website say Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been seen on video smoking what appears to be crack cocaine. Mr Ford calls the allegations "ridiculous"

  2. May 2013: Late-night TV comedians begin mocking the mayor. Daily Show host Jon Stewart says: "Don't judge him: Maybe he's cleaning up the city by smoking all the crack in it"

  3. 26 May 2013: Mr Ford says the media are "a bunch of maggots" amid calls for him to resign - including on a cake presented to him on his 44th birthday by members of the public

  4. 9 August 2013: YouTube videos show him slurring his speech at a street fair. Mr Ford eventually acknowledges he was "hammered". Here, he arm wrestles Hulk Hogan at the Fan Expo that month

  5. 31 October 2013: Mr Ford yells at journalists to get off of his property after Toronto police say they have obtained a video that depicts Mr Ford smoking crack cocaine

  6. 31 October 2013: Police chief Bill Blair also announces the drug probe led to charges against Mr Ford's friend and occasional driver Alexander Lisi

  7. 3 November 2013: Mr Ford apologises on his weekly radio show for making mistakes, including texting while driving

  8. 5 November 2013: After months of denials, Mr Ford admits to smoking crack cocaine in one of his "drunken stupors". He vows to remain in office and insists: "No, I'm not an addict"

  9. 7 November 2013: A video on the Toronto Star's website shows Mr Ford spewing obscenities and threatening to "kill" someone. He says he was "extremely, extremely inebriated". Pic: Toronto Sun

  10. 12 November 2013: Hundreds of people line up at City Hall to buy a limited-edition bobblehead doll of Mr Ford, which quickly sold out. Mr Ford was on hand to sign the figurines

  11. 13 November 2013: Mr Ford admits during a heated council debate that he bought illegal drugs while in office, but refuses to step down and insists he has zero tolerance for drugs and gangs

  12. 13 November 2013: Outside City Hall, protests calling for Mr Ford to resign continue

  13. 14 November 2013: City councillors turn their backs to the mayor as a symbolic gesture

  14. 14 November 2013: Using obscene language, Mr Ford denies allegations that he told a female staffer he wanted to have oral sex

  15. 14 November 2013: The Canadian Football League slams Mr Ford for making the offensive statement while wearing a Toronto Argonauts jersey

  16. 14 November 2013: The mayor later appears before cameras to apologise for his language, with his wife Renata by his side

  17. 15 November 2013: City councillors step up their efforts to force the mayor out of office despite lacking a legal path to do so. They vote overwhelmingly to strip Mr Ford of some of his powers

  18. 16-17 November 2013: Mr Ford launches a media offensive and attends a Toronto Argonauts football game where fans cheer him on

  19. 18 November 2013: Toronto City Council strip Mr Ford of the last of his substantive powers after a heated debate - during which he knocks over a female councillor

  20. 18 November 2013: Mr Ford remains defiant, again refusing to step down, and denounces the council motion as a coup d'etat

  21. 18 November 2013: After the council motion, Rob Ford and his brother Doug, a city councillor, make their debut on their new TV show, Ford Nation

  22. December 4, 2013: Allegations emerge that Mr Ford offered to buy footage of himself smoking crack cocaine. He laughed off the suggestion and ignored questions

  23. 22 January 2014: Mr Ford admits to drinking a "little bit" after he was caught on camera swearing and slurring his words

  24. April 2014: Mr Ford launches his campaign for re-election

  25. May 2014: Mr Ford takes a leave of absence to go to rehab but insists his campaign remains on track. Pic: The Globe And Mail

  26. June 2014. Mr Ford remains popular and auditions get under way for Rob Ford The Musical: Birth Of A Nation

  27. July 2014: Mr Ford reemerges after two months of rehab, saying staff saved his life

  28. 10 September 2014: Mr Ford goes to a Toronto hospital complaining of abdominal pains for suspected cancer

  29. 12 September 2014: Mr Ford withdraws from the mayoral race after being diagnosed with a rare and difficult cancer in his abdomen. His brother Doug takes his place

  30. 28 October 2014: Mr Ford had been hoping his brother Doug, pictured in the back, could win the election but he was defeated by John Tory, a moderate conservative

On winning, Mr Tory told his supporters: "The people have spoken and tonight we begin the work of building one Toronto.

"Torontonians want to see an end to the divisions that have paralysed city hall for the last few years. I hear you."

But Rob Ford is not disappearing from Toronto politics. He won his old city council seat, held by his brother, in a landslide on Monday night and pledged to return to reclaim the mayor's office in 2018.

Video: Ford: 'You Name It, I've Abused It'

"We (Fords) never ever give up," he told his supporters. "In four more years, you're going to see another example of the Ford family never ever giving up."

Rob Ford has previously said the doctors have told him he has a 50-50 chance of surviving the rare cancer in his abdomen, malignant liposarcoma.

His drug abuse was first revealed last year when an alleged drug dealer tried to sell a video of him smoking crack to the media.

Video: Rob Ford On Going To Rehab

At first, Rob Ford denied using the illegal drug, but later acknowledged he had smoked crack while in a "drunken stupor".

Since then, the 45-year-old has been filmed numerous times in public behaving erratically and once smoking crack with his sister. He began rehab for his drugs and alcohol problems earlier this year.  

The City Council stripped him of most of his powers but lacked the authority to force him out of office because he was not convicted of a crime.

Video: Toronto Mayor 'A Little Bit' Drunk

Rob Ford won the last mayoral election in 2010 with 47% of the votes cast.

Mr Tory, 60, is a long-time moderate conservative politician and adviser. He formerly was chief executive of a major cable company Rogers Communications, and also served as commissioner of the Canadian Football League. More recently, he hosted a radio talk show. He ran for mayor in 2003 and lost.

A record 53.4% of voters turned out in the latest mayoral race. 


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Cantlie Video Aims To Divert Allied Strikes

It is early morning. Shadows slant in from the east. Militants on patrol wear thick coats.

Even John Cantlie, the hostage-reporter, is wearing a sweater under his black shirt.

In the latest piece of agitprop from the studios of Islamic State Mr Cantlie, 42, is reporting under duress from the front line in Kobani.

If he was casting a wary eye to the skies to look for incoming allied air strikes, it's not in the seventh of his videos.

His "report" is intended to dispel claims that a combination of allied airstrikes and Kurdish militia have driven IS from the town that sits on the border with Turkey.

Video: I.S. Hostage Appears In New Video

In it, he says: "Despite continual American airstrikes which so far have cost nearly half a billion dollars the mujahedeen have pushed deep into the heart of the city, they now control the eastern and southern sectors."

Mr Cantlie's previous internet broadcasts have been from an echoing room with him reading from a prepared script and wearing the orange prison suit now familiar from the beheading videos of his fellow captors.

He has been held by Islamic State for the longest.

His last lecture, before the Kobani report, focussed on how European countries had succeeded at negotiating the release of their hostages while the US and UK had "abandoned" their citizens.

The Kobani report from Mr Cantlie is peppered with contemporary references from the media to prove that it has been recently filmed.

Video: Hostage Families' 'Mental Torture'

But it is revealing for what is not in it.

There are no interviews with anyone on the street. Indeed, Mr Cantlie is moved between several locations but we do not see these moves.

His is the only voice in the report, which also appears to have been heavily pre-scripted.

He says: "It's going to be difficult with just airpower to prevent the Islamic State from taking the town."

He, or rather Islamic State, is right in this assertion. But why make it?

Video: Hostage's Family In Video Appeal

It's a taunt. Consistent with previous goads scripted for Mr Cantlie, aimed at drawing western troops back into a Middle East maelstrom from which, like the invasion of Iraq, they would emerge with no credit but a huge expenditure on blood and treasure.

Kobani doesn't matter to Islamic State. The US-led coalition has also said the whole of Syria is a lower military priority than first securing the government in Iraq from IS attack.

The Americans have said that they want to concentrate on breaking up IS logistics chains that supply forces in Iraq - like Syrian refineries and Syrian roads in IS controlled areas.

But the focus of the media on the Kurdish fight to save their city has forced the Pentagon to make a tactical switch to airstrikes in and around Kobani.

This suits Islamic State as it draws its enemies' assets away from attacking it in more important strategic locations - and buys it time to get essential equipment hidden from the eyes in the skies.

1/18

  1. Gallery: US-Led Airstrikes on Kobani

    Smoke and flames rise over a hill near the Syrian town of Kobani after an airstrike, as seen from the Mursitpinar crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province

  2. US military forces again focused airstrikes on the area near the Syrian city in their campaign to turn back Islamic State forces and also hit oil facilities held by the militant group

  3. Three IS fighters pray as others inspect a hill in the outskirts of Kobani

  4. A Kurdish fighters position in the outskirts of the Syrian town

  5. Members of media watch Kobani from a hill near the Mursitpinar border crossing

  6. Syrians wait to cross to the northern Syrian city of Tal Abyad at the Akcakale border gate in Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey

  7. Kurdish refugee children from Kobani in a camp in the southeastern town of Suruc

  8. A Turkish army tank drives downhill, in front of ruins of Kobani

  9. A Turkish flag flutters on the top of a silo in the Syrian town

  10. Turkish Kurds watch Kobani from a hill near the Mursitpinar border crossing

This is why the Cantlie report on Kobani matters.

By insisting that the IS is poised to capture the city the terror group is maintaining the need to keep a focus on a location that sucks resources from allied air power that could be focussed elsewhere.

For Mr Cantlie it's an opportunity to get some sunlight and fresh air - albeit on the front line of somebody else's war.


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Spy Chiefs: Missing Kim Jong-Un Puzzle Solved

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

South Korea's spy agency has revealed details of what it believes were the reasons behind the 40-day disappearance of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

In a closed-door hearing, officials from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) told parliamentarians he was suffering from Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, which is the compression of the tibial nerve in the foot.

In Mr Kim's case, the compression is understood to have been caused by a cyst in his right ankle - said to be the result of obesity, smoking and his busy work schedule.

The intelligence agency officials claimed Mr Kim had been operated on by European doctors in September or October.

The spy officials also claimed that about 200 military officers had been demoted for "underperformance" and 50 executions had been carried out in North Korea so far this year, including officials associated with Mr Kim's executed uncle Jang Song-Thaek.

Discussing North Korea's widely-condemned labour camps, the officials said that intelligence suggested they were growing in size.

Video: Inside North Korea: Full Programme

The revelations come as North Korean officials at the United Nations hinted they could allow a UN human rights inspector into the country.

At an unprecedented meeting in New York, North Korean diplomats met Marzuki Darusman, a UN special investigator on human rights.

Following discussions, the North Korean delegation told the AP news agency that they "envisaged" a visit by Mr Darusman to the country.

In theory, the visit could represent a breakthrough in international efforts to establish, first-hand, the reality of human rights abuses in North Korea.

Video: The Defectors: A Special Programme

However, reports from South Korea suggest the North is secretly moving inmates out of one its prison camps.

According to South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, prisoners at Yodok camp are being moved in "apparent preparation for a PR exercise showing conditions are not as bad as reported".

In February, a UN Commission of Inquiry published testimonies from North Koreans who have escaped the country.

The report was the culmination of public hearings with more than 80 victims in Seoul, Tokyo, London and Washington. It outlined a litany of crimes including murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment and rape amounting to "crimes against humanity".

Video: Feb: Surviving N Korea Prison Camps

However, the report authors, led by retired Australian judge Michael Kirby, were refused access to North Korea itself. Officials there have repeatedly dismissed its findings as "fabrications" and described the witnesses as "human scum".

The Chosun Ilbo newspaper is also suggesting North Korea might now try to improve the appearance of one of its camps.

"The regime is transferring the inmates one by one during the night so that their movement can't be detected by satellites," the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

The UN Commission of Inquiry called for North Korea to be referred to the International Criminal Court, a procedure which must be actioned by the UN Security Council.

Video: Truth Of Gulags Could Remain Hidden

However, North Korea's closest ally, China, holds a permanent seat on the council and has the power of veto, making any ICC referral unlikely.

:: In a separate development, Japanese and North Korean officials have begun two days of talks in Pyongyang about the abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 80s.

The issue has long been a major obstacle in relations between the two nations, and the talks are the first in the capital in 10 years.


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Broncos Fan Goes Missing During NFL Game

By Sky News US Team

Police are searching for a Denver Broncos fan who vanished from his seat during half-time at an NFL game in Denver.

Paul Kitterman, 53, has not been seen since the Denver Broncos-San Diego Chargers game at Sports Authority Field last Thursday.

His stepson, Jarod Tonneson, says he was last seen after he left his seat to meet friends at half-time.

"I can't help but think something bad has happened," he said.

Mr Kitterman's relatives spent the weekend posting fliers and checking area hospitals and detox centres.

But hospitals and police departments failed to turn up any trace of the missing man.

They hope stadium officials can check the CCTV cameras and shed some light on Mr Kitterman's disappearance.

"He's absolutely nowhere to be found,"  Tia Bakke, a friend who was at the game with her boyfriend, told KUSA-TV, Denver.

Mr Kitterman, who lives in the mountain town of Kremmling, about 80 miles northwest of Denver, was attending his first NFL game.

He had left his cellphone at home and did not have much cash, his stepson said.

The missing man has no known health problems and does not use drugs.

"We just don't know what else to do," said Mr Tonneson.

"Paul is a simple guy, he doesn't like technology, he doesn't get into drama. He's just an easygoing guy."

Police said they do not suspect foul play.


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Ryanair Faces €8.3m French Labour Law Penalty

Ryanair is facing a €8.3m (£6.5m) penalty after losing an appeal against a decision that it broke French labour laws.

The AFP news agency said the no-frills carrier was found guilty of paying workers under Irish contracts to save money on payroll and other taxes.

The bulk of the money was in fines while €200,000 was for damages, the court ruled.

The ruling was issued a year after the original decision went against Ryanair.

At that time, the company said the majority of the financial penalties related to alleged non-payment of social insurance and state pension contributions in France for Ryanair crews.

The case centred around a facility operated by the company at Marignane, near the southern French cities of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.

The company, run by its colourful chief executive Michael O'Leary, based four planes and 127 employees at the site without applying French labour law or filling out tax declarations in the country.

Ryanair argued that it did not have a permanent base in the area and that it was entitled to keep its workforce on Irish contracts, but prosecutors said its claim was not credible because the workers were living locally and the airline had offices there.

Ryanair was yet to provide a response to Sky News following the latest judgment.

Social charges in France are at around 40-45%, compared to 10.75% in Ireland.

The airline will have to pay damages to trade unions, France's social security system and pilots among others, AFP said.


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Canadian Soldier Given Regimental Funeral

The funeral of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was shot and killed in Ottawa, has taken place in his home town of Hamilton.

The 24-year-old was shot in the back as he stood on guard at the war memorial in the Canadian capital on 22 October by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who minutes later stormed the parliament complex before he was fatally shot.

Cpl Cirillo was laid to rest following a full regimental funeral, with his Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment  - dressed in ceremonial kilts, white boots and garters - following behind the main funeral party through the streets of Hamilton.

The soldier's five-year-old son Marcus followed the procession on foot, carrying a Canadian flag, along with Cpl Corillo's mother.

Video: Nathan Cirillo's Regimental Funeral

A flag, belt, bayonet and the soldier's regimental badge were placed on Cpl Cirillo's coffin and a unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also formed part of the procession.

Crowds lined the route through the city up to Christ's Church Cathedral. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also expected to be among the mourners during the service.

After he was killed, Cpl Cirillo's family thanked Canadians after thousands lined the 300-mile route between Ottawa and Hamilton to pay their respects.

Video: Family's Tribute To Shot Soldier

In a statement, they said: "On October 22nd we lost a son, a brother, a father, a friend and a national hero.

"We are not only mourning as a family but also a country, when we lost Nathan we all mourn as one. There are no words to express the sadness that has fallen upon us all.

"We take comfort knowing Nathan has done our country proud."

Video: CCTV Of Gunman Outside Parliament

Cpl Cirillo was the second soldier killed in attacks in Canada in a week after the country announced it would step up its involvement in airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq.

Patrice Vincent, 53, was killed on 20 October when a man ran over him and another soldier in a separate attack near Montreal.

The RCMP said on Monday that Zehaf-Bibeau had left a video claiming his attack was motivated by opposition to Canadian foreign policy.

Video: Hero's Welcome For Sergeant-At-Arms

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Second Brother From UK Family Killed In Syria

A young British Muslim whose brother died fighting in Syria has also been killed, their father has said.

Jaffar Deghayes, 17, is believed to have died at the weekend after leaving his home near Brighton earlier this year in a bid to overthrow Bashar al Assad's government.

His brother, Abdullah, 18, died in Latakia province in April after leaving the UK in January to reportedly take up arms with Jabhat al Nusra, an al Qaeda affiliated group.

On Monday the pair's brother, Amer, 20, who also travelled to Syria, relayed news of the death of Jaffar to their father, Abubaker Deghayes, back home in Saltdean, East Sussex.

Mr Deghayes said: "Amer sent me a message via the internet. All I know is that (Jaffar) was fighting against Assad and was killed in battle.

"I don't know much else. I can only hope and pray to God to accept him and have mercy on him."

Video: April 2014: Father's Syria Warning

A tribute group was set up to the teenager on Facebook. Posts from friends included: "Today is one of my worse days of my life, waking up to read that one of my brothers (has) gone, yet gone but never forgotten I love you so much mate. R.I.P Jaffar."

Another read: "No matter what people say; we know you were doing what you believed in and paid the ultimate price! R.I.P, you're in paradise with your brother now! Xxx"  

Reacting to reports of the death of another British jihadi in Syria, Security Minister James Brokenshire told Sky News that it "underlined the instability, the real risk to anyone who does travel out to the region".

Warning against travelling to Syria, he added: "It does not help the situation there and it puts them at real personal risk and also risk of radicalisation and exploitation even if that may not have been their intent in travelling out."

The Deghayes brothers are the nephew of Omar Deghayes, who was held by the United States as an enemy combatant at Guantanamo Bay detention camp between 2002 and 2007 after he was arrested in Pakistan. 

Following the death of Abdullah, the teenager's father told Sky News that his son was "no danger" to the UK. He also urged other young men not to travel to Syria to fight, saying the country was in need of political support instead.    

In May, counter-terrorism officers raided the Deghayes' family home and seized material after a warrant was issued under the 2000 Terrorism Act.

Counter-terrorism investigators have expressed concern about aspiring British jihadis travelling to Syria and becoming radicalised.

It emerged this month that a fourth man from Portsmouth, Hampshire - 19-year-old Muhammad Mehdi Hassan - died fighting in Kobani.

Three others from the same city - Iftekar Jaman, 23, Mamunur Roshid, 24, and Muhammad Hamidur Rahman, 25 - have also been killed after travelling there in October last year.

In January alone, 16 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences related to Syria compared with 24 arrests in the whole of last year.

Others who have died include one man suspected of carrying out a suicide attack.

Abdul Waheed Majeed, 41, is believed to have driven a lorry to a jail in Aleppo before detonating a bomb in February.

The married father-of-three, who was born and raised in Crawley, West Sussex, left Britain in 2013, telling his family he was going on a humanitarian mission to Syria.

Jaffar's death comes as Islamic State released a new video featuring British hostage John Cantlie which purportedly shows him in Kobani.


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