ISIS terrorists reportedly trying to ransom beheaded American's body for $1 million
By RYAN GORMAN
ISIS terrorists are reportedly trying to ransom the beheaded body of an American journalist to his family.
The militants behind the Islamic State are trying to sell the decapitated remains of James Foley for $1 million, according to a BuzzFeed report. Potential negotiations are being handled by a middleman.
The terror group wants to show it is true to its word by sending DNA to Turkey proving the remains are Foley's, a source told the site.
"They ask for $1 million, and they will send DNA to Turkey, but they want the money first," said the go-between. "They will not give the DNA without the money."
Foley was infamously executed this summer in an ISIS video made public in August. He is one of three Western journalists known to have been beheaded by the ruthless organization and was also reportedly waterboarded several times in the weeks leading to his murder.
The negotiator does not see himself as a terror facilitator. He claims his work is to help Foley's family find closure, that it is "a humanity case."
Another intermediary told BuzzFeed the morbid ransom "is business."
This line of business could be a sign the regime is growing increasingly desperate to make money as oil prices plunge around the globe. Previous reports indicated ISIS made as much as $1 million per day from black market crude oil sales. That number has surely dropped in recent months.
Both sources were kept confidential by the site, for their protection, but were able to produce cell phone images of previously unknown Western hostages.
ISIS has ransomed off about 15 hostages to European countries, and sees the trades as a lucrative revenue generating tactic. The insurgency may have made as much as $45 million in ransoms, according to the United Nations.
America has a long-established policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
Foley's mother previously told CNN she was "appalled" by the U.S. government's handling of her son.
"I think our efforts to get Jim freed were an annoyance [to officials]," Diane Foley told the network in September. "It didn't seem to be in [U.S.] strategic interest, if you will."
It does not appear likely the government would be willing to set the precedent that beheaded Americans remains would be paid for to ensure a return home.
"It will be like a shame for the U.S. government," an official with the Free Syrian Army told BuzzFeed. "People will ask why you brought the body but you didn't bring him when he was alive."
The Army official is said to have been involved in previous hostage negotiations with the U.S.
"They were trying to negotiate (a ransom deal) for his freedom before they beheaded him, and after beheading him, they are trying to sell his body," he added.
Foley's family declined to comment when reached by BuzzFeed.
The U.S. State Department admitted it was "seeking more information," but a senior U.S. diplomat said the proposed sale is "disgusting."
Related links:
American journalist James Foley apparently beheaded in ISIS video
Slain American journalist James Foley was reportedly waterboarded by ISIS terrorists
ISIS releases internet video purportedly showing American journalist Steven Sotloff's beheading
