Child executioner in ISIL video "recognised by French classmates

From the Telegraph

A child who appears to execute an Arab Israeli in a video released this week by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is said to have been recognised by classmates in France, an official said Friday.

The schools inspector in the Haute-Garonne district in southern France said students in the city of Toulouse believe they recognised the boy, who appears to be no more than 12. “Concerning the formal identification of this person, I cannot tell you anything,” Jacques Caillaut told reporters. “Children from the Vauquelin College have recognised one of their classmates, but we must remain cautious.” 

According to the inspector, students at the Vauquelin secondary school would have known the boy when he was still in primary school in Toulouse. “There is a child who has not been enrolled at the Vergers (primary) school since March 14, 2014, but I do not have any other details,” Caillaut said.

La Depeche reported that the boy spoke French with a Toulouse accent. French officials Thursday launched a formal investigation into the video, which also features a French-speaking man. The man standing nearby, speaking in French, issues threats against Jews in France, before the boy walks around in front of the hostage and shoots him in the forehead using a pistol.

The boy, who shouts “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest” in Arabic), then shoots the man four more times as he lies on the ground. Sources familiar with the case have said the boy may be 31-year-old Essid’s stepson.