French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has lost immunity from prosecution after she tweeted pictures of ISIS violence.
Her position as a member of the European Parliament has so far meant she could not be prosecuted.
Marine Le Pen is under investigation in France for posting three images of ISIS killings in 2015, including the beheading of American journalist James Foley.
She is currently running to be French president.
Opinion polls suggest Marine Le Pen is on course to win the first round in April, but centrist Emmanuel Macron is gaining ground and looks likely to beat her in a second round in May.
A Le Figaro/LCI poll on February 26 put Emmanuel Macron – who was unveiling his manifesto at the same time as it was revealed Marine Le Pen had lost her immunity – on 58% in the run-off, against 42% for Le Pen.
The European Parliament vote – carried by a “big majority”, according to acting parliament speaker Dimitrios Papadimoulis – confirmed a preliminary decision taken on February 28 by the legal affairs committee of the European Union legislature.
Marine Le Pen had dismissed efforts to lift her immunity as “part of the system that wants to stop the French people’s candidate that I am”.
The allegations date back to December 2015, when she tweeted the pictures in response to a journalist who drew an analogy between her anti-immigration Front National (FN) party and ISIS extremists.
James Foley’s parents accused Marine Le Pen of using the image of their son for her own political ends.
However, the vote only lifts Marine Le Pen’s immunity in this particular case and will not cover a separate investigation into whether the FN misused European Parliament funds.
Marine Le Pen has refused to attend a police interview over the latter allegations. She denies wrongdoing and claims that they are a plot to derail her campaign.
The FBI has announced it has identified the militant in the videos depicting the killings of two US journalists and a British aid worker.
However, FBI Director James Comey says the agency will not yet release the name of Islamic State fighter, so-called Jihadi John, who seemed to speak with a British accent.
UK Foreign Minister Philip Hammond told CNN this week they were “getting warm” on the identity of the masked man.
Jihadi John appears in Steven Sotloff’s killing video (photo Reuters)
James Comey did not say whether the man identified carried out the killings.
He said the FBI was able to identify him with the help of international partners.
American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines, have all been killed alongside a masked man dressed in black holding a knife, who speaks to the camera.
The life of another British citizen, Alan Henning, was threatened in the last video.
ISIS militants have released a second video showing British journalist John Cantlie, who is being held hostage by the jihadist group.
It comes less than a week after John Cantlie’s first appearance on screen following his kidnapping in Syria in 2012.
The release of the video showing John Cantlie comes as the US and its allies launch the first air strikes against ISIS in Syria.
Islamic State has killed three Western hostages and has threatened to kill another.
On September 22, the US and several Arab allies launched the first air strikes against the militants in Syria. UK forces are not involved but the government says it has not ruled itself out.
An experienced journalist and photographer, this is John Cantlie’s second time being held captive in Syria. Having been kidnapped in July 2012 and handcuffed and blindfolded for a week, he escaped with the help from the Free Syrian Army.
John Cantlie returned to Syria towards the end of 2012 and it was during this trip that his second kidnap occurred.
ISIS militants have released a second video showing British journalist John Cantlie, who is being held hostage by the jihadist group
The video, which lasts for almost six minutes, follows a similar pattern to the first video featuring the journalist.
It is introduced with the title Lend Me Your Ears and Messages From The British Detainee John Cantlie: Episode 1.
Dressed in an orange outfit like other ISIS hostages seen in videos, John Cantlie repeated that he had been abandoned by his government.
Reading from a pre-prepared script, John Cantlie also said Western governments “were caught napping by the sheer speed of the Islamic State’s growth” and they have underestimated “the strength and fighting zeal of the opponent”.
“Not since Vietnam have we witnessed such a potential mess in the making,” he says.
Islamic State has taken control of large areas of Syria and Iraq, imposed a harsh brand of Islam, and declared a caliphate.
The group has beheaded three Western hostages since August – US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines. Their deaths were all filmed and posted online.
In the latest video showing the killing of David Haines, the militants threatened to kill Alan Henning, a taxi driver. Alan Henning, from Eccles in Salford, was seized while on an aid mission to Syria in December.
Steven Sotloff’s family has spoken publicly for the first time since a video of his killing was released by ISIS militants.
The family said that Steven Sotloff gave his life to covering the suffering of people in war zones, but was “no hero”.
Vice President Joe Biden said that Islamic State militants who killed him and another American journalist, James Foley, would be pursued “to the gates of hell”.
Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Steven Sotloff family spokesman Barak Barfi said that Steven “wanted to give voice to those who had none”.
He said that Steven Sotloff “was no war junkie and did not want to be a modern-day Lawrence of Arabia”.
“From the Libyan doctor in Misrata who struggled to provide psychological services to children ravaged by war, to the Syrian plumber who risked his life by crossing regime lines to purchase medicine, their story was Steve’s story. He ultimately sacrificed his life to bring their story to the world,” Barak Barfi said.
“Today we grieve but we will emerge stronger. We will not allow our enemies to hold us hostage with the sole weapon they possess: Fear.”
Steven Sotloff was kidnapped in Aleppo, Syria, in August 2013 and held captive by ISIS militants (photo Facebook)
Barak Barfi said that Steven Joel Sotloff was “torn between two poles” – his love of home life and his passion for the Arab world.
He said that the Sotloff family’s prayers went out to the family of Jim Foley, who was similarly killed last month.
“Like Steve he suffered but his jailors never broke him. He was an inspiration to others held in prison.”
The tribute to Steven Sotloff came after President Barack Obama vowed that the US would not be intimidated following the release of a video tape of his murder by ISIS militants.
Barack Obama said the US would build a coalition to “degrade and destroy” ISIS.
Vice-President Joe Biden said that the US would not stop until the militants are brought to justice.
He said the American people “are so much stronger, so much more resolved” than any enemy can understand.
ISIS has seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in recent months, declaring a new caliphate, or Islamic State, under leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The US has launched more than 120 air strikes in the past month to try to help Kurdish forces curb the Islamic State advance.
The video showing the killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff by ISIS militants is authentic, the US has confirmed.
Steven Joel Sotloff, 31, was abducted in northern Syria in August 2013.
President Barack Obama warned the killers that “our reach is long and justice will be served”.
Meanwhile, the UK held a meeting of its emergency Cobra committee after threats to kill a British hostage who was also shown in the latest video.
President Barack Obama, speaking in Estonia, said the killing was a “horrific act of violence and we cannot begin to imagine the agony everyone who loves Steven is feeling right now. Our country grieves with them”.
He added: “We will not be intimidated. This horrific act only unites us.”
US National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said: “The US Intelligence Community has analyzed the recently released video showing US citizen Steven Sotloff and has reached the judgment that it is authentic.”
The video showing the killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff by ISIS militants has been confirmed as authentic
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also said “preliminary analysis” had suggested the video was genuine.
A spokesman for the Sotloff family had earlier indicated they believed the video was genuine, issuing a statement that said: “The family knows of this horrific tragedy and is grieving privately. There will be no public comment from the family during this difficult time.”
Before the verification was confirmed, US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki had said: “If the video is genuine, we are sickened by this brutal act, taking the life of another innocent American citizen. Our hearts go out to the Sotloff family.”
Jen Psaki said it was believed that “a few” other Americans were still being held by Islamic State.
Steven Sotloff had appeared in a video last month which showed fellow American journalist James Foley being killed.
The latest video, entitled A second message to America, is about two-and-a-half minutes long and was apparently recorded in a desert.
Next to a masked figure, Steven Sotloff reads out a text addressed to President Barack Obama saying: “You’ve spent billions of US taxpayers’ dollars and we have lost thousands of our troops in our previous fighting against the Islamic State, so where is the people’s interest in reigniting this war?”
The militant has a voice with a British accent similar to that of the man who appeared to carry out the beheading of James Foley.
The man says: “I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State… despite our serious warnings.”
The jihadist also threatens to kill the British hostage shown in the footage. The family of the British hostage has asked the media not to release his name.
The US has launched more than 120 air strikes in the past month to try to help Kurdish forces curb the IS advance.
ISIS militants have seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in recent months, declaring a new caliphate, or Islamic state, under leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
After the news of the video emerged, President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of another 350 troops to Baghdad to protect US diplomatic facilities.
A new Islamic State video has showed the killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff.
Steven Sotloff, 31, disappeared in Syria in 2013. He appeared at the end of a video last month which showed fellow American journalist James Foley being killed.
A militant in the latest video also threatens to kill a British hostage.
Steven Sotloff’s family said they were aware of the video and were “grieving privately”.
After James Foley’s death, Steven Sotloff’s mother appealed to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to save her son’s life.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said US officials were checking the reports.
The US has recently carried out dozens of air strikes against ISIS targets in Iraq.
The video, entitled A second message to America, shows a masked figure together with Steven Sotloff, who is dressed in an orange jumpsuit.
Steven Sotloff was abducted near Aleppo in northern Syria in August 2013
Steven Sotloff reads out a text addressed to Barack Obama saying: “You’ve spent billions of US taxpayers’ dollars and we have lost thousands of our troops in our previous fighting against the Islamic State, so where is the people’s interest in reigniting this war?”
The masked man then describes the act he is about to commit as retribution for the US air strikes.
“I’m back, Obama, and I’m back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State… despite our serious warnings,” the man says.
“We take this opportunity to warn those governments that enter this evil alliance of America against the Islamic State to back off and leave our people alone.”
The video ends with the militant threatening to kill a captive who is claimed to be British.
US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: “If the video is genuine, we are sickened by this brutal act.”
Steven Sotloff was abducted near Aleppo in northern Syria in August 2013.
He had worked for Time magazine, Foreign Policy and the Christian Science Monitor, and reported from Egypt, Libya and Syria.
Friends said Steven Sotloff had lived in Yemen for many years and spoke good Arabic.
At the time of his capture, Steven Sotloff’s family chose not to go public with details, on the advice of officials.
Last month a video was released showing the beheading of James Foley.
Steven Sotloff was shown at the end, as a militant gave a warning that his fate depended on President Barack Obama’s next move.
The US launched has launched more than 120 air strikes in Iraq in the last month, in an attempt to help Kurdish forces curb the advance of Islamic State militants and protect minorities threatened by them.
Shirley Sotloff, the mother of American journalist Steven Sotloff held by ISIS militants, has made an emotional video appeal for his release.
Shirley Sotloff addressed her plea directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the militant group.
Steven Joel Sotloff, who vanished last year in Syria, appeared in a video showing the killing of US journalist James Foley.
The militant on the video said his life depended on the next move of President Barack Obama.
The US has recently carried out dozens of air strikes against IS targets in Iraq.
Shirley Sotloff addressed her plea for her son’s life directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the ISIS militant group
In her video message, Shirley Sotloff described her son as a journalist who had travelled to the Middle East to cover the “suffering of Muslims under the hands of tyrants”.
“Steven has no control over the actions of the US government. He’s an innocent journalist. I’ve always learned that you, the caliph, can grant amnesty. I ask you to please release my child,” said Shirley Sotloff.
“I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad.”
Steven Sotloff’s case was not widely reported after his mother was told by ISIS militants he would be killed if she publicized it.
However, last week, Steven Sotloff appeared at the end of an ISIS video showing the killing of James Foley.
The masked militant who killed James Foley held Steven Sotloff by the collar and said: “The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision.”
The family of James Foley – the kidnapped American journalist killed by Islamic State militants last week – has posted a letter they say he sent while in captivity, via a fellow hostage.
James Foley was unable to write letters to his family because they were confiscated by his jailers.
Instead he asked another hostage who was about to be released to commit his letter to memory.
When that hostage was freed he dictated the letter to James Foley’s mother, Diane.
The family posted the letter on Sunday evening, on a Facebook page they had set up to campaign for James Foley’s release.
Earlier they had attended a memorial mass for James Foley in their home town of Rochester, New Hampshire.
James Foley was abducted in northern Syria in November 2012 while covering that country’s civil war
James Wright Foley, 41, a freelance journalist was abducted in northern Syria in November 2012, while covering that country’s civil war.
Last week, Islamic State militants released a video showing his killing by a masked man with a British accent.
On Sunday, the British ambassador to the US told CNN that British officials were close to identifying the killer.
James Foley’s last letter
Dear Family and Friends,
I remember going to the Mall with Dad, a very long bike ride with Mom. I remember so many great family times that take me away from this prison. Dreams of family and friends take me away and happiness fills my heart.
I know you are thinking of me and praying for me. And I am so thankful. I feel you all especially when I pray. I pray for you to stay strong and to believe. I really feel I can touch you even in this darkness when I pray.
Eighteen of us have been held together in one cell, which has helped me. We have had each other to have endless long conversations about movies, trivia, sports. We have played games made up of scraps found in our cell… we have found ways to play checkers, Chess, and Risk… and have had tournaments of competition, spending some days preparing strategies for the next day’s game or lecture. The games and teaching each other have helped the time pass. They have been a huge help. We repeat stories and laugh to break the tension.
I have had weak and strong days. We are so grateful when anyone is freed; but of course, yearn for our own freedom. We try to encourage each other and share strength. We are being fed better now and daily. We have tea, occasional coffee. I have regained most of my weight lost last year.
I think a lot about my brothers and sister. I remember playing Werewolf in the dark with Michael and so many other adventures. I think of chasing Mattie and T around the kitchen counter. It makes me happy to think of them. If there is any money left in my bank account, I want it to go to Michael and Matthew. I am so proud of you, Michael and thankful to you for happy childhood memories and to you and Kristie for happy adult ones.
And big John, how I enjoyed visiting you and Cress in Germany. Thank you for welcoming me. I think a lot about RoRo and try to imagine what Jack is like. I hope he has RoRo’s personality!
And Mark… so proud of you too Bro. I think of you on the West coast and hope you are doing some snowboarding and camping, I especially remember us going to the Comedy Club in Boston together and our big hug after. The special moments keep me hopeful.
Katie, so very proud of you. You are the strongest and best of us all!! I think of you working so hard, helping people as a nurse. I am so glad we texted just before I was captured. I pray I can come to your wedding…. now I am sounding like Grammy!!
Grammy, please take your medicine, take walks and keep dancing. I plan to take you out to Margarita’s when I get home. Stay strong because I am going to need your help to reclaim my life.
James Foley’s killers wanted a $132 million ransom for his release, his employer has said.
GlobalPost CEO Philip Balboni said the Islamic State (ISIS) militants first demanded money last year.
James Foley was abducted in November 2012, and a video of his beheading was released by ISIS earlier this week.
In the video, they threatened to kill another American, journalist Steven Joel Sotloff, if the US did not stop its air strikes against the group in northern Iraq.
US air strikes have continued near Mosul despite the warning.
The US has begun a formal criminal investigation into James Foley’s death, with Attorney General Eric Holder saying that the US has a “long memory and our reach is very wide”.
In the UK, police and security services are trying to identify the jihadistwho appeared in footage of James Foley’s killing.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the man – who had a British accent – is from London or south-east England.
Journalist James Foley was abducted in Syria in November 2012
On Thursday, Eric Holder said the US pursuit of James Foley’s killer would be determined.
“We have an open criminal investigation, and those who would perpetrate such acts need to understand something: this Justice Department, the Department of Defense, this nation, we have long memories and our reach is very wide,” he said.
“We will not forget what happened and people will be held accountable one way or the other.”
Earlier President Barack Obama condemned the killing and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We will be vigilant and we will be relentless,” he said.
“When people harm Americans, anywhere, we do what’s necessary to see that justice is done.”
The US launched more air strikes on ISIS targets in Iraq on Thursday.
US aircraft destroyed or damaged four ISIS vehicles and several bomb placements in strikes near Mosul dam, the military said.
Since August 8, the US military says it has conducted a total of 90 airstrikes across Iraq.
Of those 90 strikes, 57 have been near Mosul Dam, the military said.
The US defense department has revealed that the US “attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria”.
“Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location.”
It was the first time the US government had acknowledged that its forces had operated in Syria since the country’s civil war began in 2011.
The Pentagon statement did not specify whether the operation had intended to rescue James Foley.
However, senior US officials – speaking on condition of anonymity – confirmed this. They added that the troops had killed several ISIS militants.
Acccording to US officials, a secret military mission had tried but failed to free journalist James Foley and other American hostages in Syria.
Their comments come after a video of James Foley’s killing by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) militants appeared on Tuesday.
ISIS said James Foley’s death was revenge for US air strikes on its fighters in Iraq.
President Barack Obama condemned the killing as “an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world”.
He compared ISIS militants, who control large parts of Syria and Iraq to a “cancer” and said the group’s ideology was “bankrupt”.
The UN, UK and others have also expressed abhorrence at the video.
James Foley’s mother, Diane Foley, said he “gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people”.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was “extremely concerned for all journalists” still held by ISIS, describing Syria as “the world’s most dangerous place to be a reporter”.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Pentagon said the US had “attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria”.
It said the operation “involved air and ground components and was focused on a particular captor network within ISIL” (the former name of ISIS).
“Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location.”
James Foley had reported extensively across the Middle East, working for GlobalPost and other media outlets
The statement did not specify whether the operation had intended to rescue James Foley, who was kidnapped in Syria in November 2012.
However, senior Obama administration officials – speaking on the condition of anonymity – confirmed this.
They said that several dozen special troops had been dropped by aircraft into Syria in recent weeks to try to rescue US hostages, including James Foley.
They added that the troops had been engaged in a firefight with ISIS militants, killing a number of them. No Americans were killed.
James Foley, 40, had reported extensively across the Middle East, working for GlobalPost and other media outlets including French news agency AFP.
In the ISIS video, titled A Message to America, a man identified as James Foley is dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kneeling in desert-like terrain beside an armed man dressed in black.
He gives a message to his family and links his imminent death to the US government’s bombing campaign of ISIS targets in Iraq.
Clearly under duress, he says: “I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the US government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality.”
Then the masked militant – who speaks with a British accent – delivers a warning to the US government before killing James Foley: “Any attempt by you, Obama, to deny the Muslims their rights of living in safety under the Islamic caliphate will result in the bloodshed of your people.”
Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Joel Sotloff, is shown at the end, with the warning that his fate depends on President Barack Obama’s next move.
Steven Joel Sotloff was abducted in northern Syria a year ago.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has released a video apparently showing the killing of American journalist James Foley, who went missing in Syria in 2012.
The jihadist militant group said the killing was revenge for US air strikes against its fighters in Iraq.
James Foley’s mother, Diane, said on Facebook she was proud of her son: “He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people.”
The White House said if the video was genuine, the US would be “appalled”.
James Foley, 40, has reported extensively across the Middle East, working for the GlobalPost and other media outlets including French news agency AFP.
In the video, titled A Message to America, a man identified as James Foley is dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kneeling in desert-like terrain beside an armed man dressed in black.
He gives a message to his family and links his imminent death to the US government’s bombing campaign of IS targets in Iraq.
Clearly under duress, he says: “I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the US government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality.”
Then the masked militant, who speaks with a British accent, delivers a warning to the US government: “You are no longer fighting an insurgency. We are an Islamic Army and a state that has been accepted by a large number of Muslims worldwide.
“So any attempt by you Obama to deny the Muslims their rights of living in safety under the Islamic caliphate will result in the bloodshed of your people.”
Journalist James Foley went missing in Syria in 2012 (photo GlobalPost)
After he speaks, the militant appears to start cutting at his captive’s neck before the video fades to black.
His body is then seen on the ground.
Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Joel Sotloff, is shown at the end, with the warning that his fate depends on President Barack Obama’s next move.
Steven Joel Sotloff was abducted a year ago in northern Syria, close to the border with Turkey.
In a statement, GlobalPost asked for “prayers for Jim and his family”, adding that it was waiting for the video to be verified.
James Foley had covered the war in Libya and was detained there for more than 40 days.
US officials confirmed that they had seen the video. One said it appeared to be authentic while two others said the victim was James Foley, Associated Press reports.
President Barack Obama is expected to make a statement later. White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said: “If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Diane Foley, in her Facebook post, urged the militants to free any other hostages.
“Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world,” she wrote.
The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that 20 journalists are missing in Syria, local as well as international, and believes many are held by ISIS militants.
The US launched air strikes almost a fortnight ago, in an attempt to help Kurdish forces curb the advance of Islamic State militants in northern Iraq and recapture the Mosul dam, the biggest in Iraq.
The ISIS has been accused of massacring hundreds of people in areas under its control in Iraq and also in eastern Syria.
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