Islamic State executes female journalist in Raqqa

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 January 2016

Ruqia Hassan, a female journalist and activist, was executed by Islamic State for her reporting in Raqqa. She was known for exposing human rights violations. Her execution highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

Summary

Isis has executed what is believed to be the first female citizen journalist for reporting inside its territory, Syrian media has reported. The execution of Ruqia Hassan marks the fifth journalist who reported on Isis to be killed since October, according to Syrian journalism organization, Syria Direct. Ms Hassan, who also went by the pseudonym Nisan Ibrahim on social media, was a reporter and activist for Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), a group exposing human rights abuses from within Syria. Abu Mohammed, founder of RBSS, tweeted on Saturday that Ms Hassan’s last words were: “I’m in Raqqa and I received death threats, and when Isis arrests me and kills me it’s ok because they will cut my head and I have dignity its better than I live in humiliation with Isis”. The exact date of Ms Hassan’s execution is unknown, but her usually-active presence on social media stopped abruptly on July 21, 2015.

Arab news channel Al-Aan TV reported Isis informed Ms Hassan’s family of her execution just three days ago, on charges of “espionage”.- APA

KEY POINTS:

• Ruqia Hassan was the first female citizen journalist executed by ISIS.
• She was an activist for Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.
• Her last known social media activity ceased in July 2015.
• At least five journalists reporting on ISIS have been killed since October.
• ISIS informed Hassan's family of her execution three days prior.