ISIS apologizes to terrorists for early release of Steven Sotloff execution video

Updated



By RYAN GORMAN

An ISIS operative mistakenly made public Tuesday the horrifying video of Time magazine journalist Steven Sotloff's purported beheading, it has been revealed.

A member of the terror organization even apologized for the premature release of the disturbing execution of the 31-year-old Florida native, the second American beheaded by the group in less than a month.

Titled "A Second Message to America," the grim execution video included footage of a previous speech by U.S. President Barack Obama and a statement read by Sotloff condemning U.S.-led bombing missions on Islamic State positions.

It also included a taunting rant by the British-born terrorist believed by U.K. officials to be behind both Sotloff and American photojournalist James Foley's beheadings.

The video was first published by a now-suspended Twitter account "ahead of the prescribed time," according to Vocativ.

Another Twitter account, @Kattabyaz, then took umbrage with the posting before ISIS posted a bizarre apology to Justpaste. The message below was translated by Vocative.

"A clarification about the mistake was made by "Uyun al-Ummah" account, that has published the video before the official time.

"The user saw a tweet with the video and thought it was published officially. We tried to remove the video after we understood that his was published by mistake, and we are sorry to the followers of the Islamic State."

The video's release came less than a week after Sotloff's mother pleaded with the terrorists in a taped message to let her son go.

"My son is in your hands," said Shirley Sotloff. "As a mother I ask Your Justice to be merciful and not punish my son for matters he has no control over. I ask you to use your authority to spare his life."

It is not known exactly when Sotloff was purportedly executed.

Journalist Steven Sotloff Beheaded by Islamic State Militants
Journalist Steven Sotloff Beheaded by Islamic State Militants


Related links:
ISIS releases internet video purportedly showing American journalist Steven Sotloff's beheading
Britain raises terror threat level, will begin revoking passports of those who travel to Syria
Fort Hood shooter: 'It would be an honor... to be a citizen' of the Islamic State

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