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Siddhartha Dhar, British Muslim Convert, Might Be The Executioner In Latest IS Video

Siddhartha Dhar, British Muslim Convert, Might Be The Executioner In Latest IS Video
Times of India You Tube screenshot

The new "Jihadi John," who is seen executing a prisoner in the latest Islamic State video, could be a 32-year-old bouncy castle salesman from east London, who was out on bail for alleged terrorism offences.

The family of British Muslim convert Siddhartha Dhar say that they have noticed similarities between the voice of the masked Jihadi and the 32-year-old former salesman, The Telegraph reported.

On Sunday, IS released a video which showed the execution of five Syrian men, who were accused of spying for the British.

Dhar, also known as Abu Rumaysah, was born and raised in the UK in a Hindu family, BBC reported.

“I heard the voice, yes, but I don’t know, I’m not sure of the voice. These are the most difficult questions to answer. I just cannot say. I’m not sure within myself whether it is the truth or not," his mother said.

His sister, Konika Dhar, said that the voice on the video “did sound like him." “I can't believe it. This is just so shocking for me. I don't know what the authorities are doing to confirm the identity, but I need to know if it is.”

Konika said that her brother converted 10 years ago. "He was a very pleasant boy, and I know it may be hard to believe but he still is, and I still believe that he still can be that person," she said.

Dhar aka Rumaysah was arrested in September 2014 alongside the preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of belonging to the banned group Al-Muhajiroun, but he was able to travel to Syria with his wife and four children under the noses of British security, The Telegraph reported.

Just hours after being granted police bail, Dhar caught a bus to Paris with his family and then travelled on to Syria where he joined IS.

Dhar was reportedly radicalised after marrying meeting his Muslim wife Aisha, who was more devout than him, according to neighbours. “He refused to talk to me - he was quite rude. He converted to marry her - it was her family that were more hardcore," one neighbour said.

In an interview, Dhar said, “We believe that whenever the sharia is established, the pure Islamic state maybe in Iraq or Syria, one day the leader will wage jihad and annexe Britain into the Islamic state."

“We are not going to forget Europe, we are not going to forget Britain, the armies will be sent here to conquer these lands," he said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.