FBI Seeks Public's Help Identifying English Speaking ISIS Fighter
BOSTON (CBS) – The FBI is asking for help tracking down a terrorist. The agency hopes someone who recognizes the ISIS fighter, or his voice, comes forward.
The English speaking man is seen in a propaganda video released by ISIS in September. In the video, the man is wearing a mask, and switches seamlessly between English and Arabic. Authorities believe he has a North American accent.
"Traditionally, the FBI would use other techniques to try to determine who the person was," Boston FBI Special Agent Vincent Lisi said. "We've come up empty there so now we need to reach out to the public."
Watch: Video On FBI.gov
The ISIS fighter says the men behind him in the video are Syrian prisoners digging their own graves.
"If he is from America, and it sounds like he is, somebody is going to know him," Lisi said.
About a dozen Americans are known to be fighting in Syria with ISIS. The FBI emphasizes no information is too small to share about the man.
The FBI is also asking for the public's help identifying individuals who have traveled or are planning to travel overseas to engage in combat alongside terrorist organizations.
"During the marathon, when we went to the public, it changed the whole equation," WBZ Security Analyst Ed Davis said.
Davis says this is a smart new tactic by the FBI. "Someone that grew up with him will recognize him," Davis said. "I think it's just a matter of time until the FBI gets the information that they need."
ISIS has released several videos in recent months showing the beheadings of four people, including two journalists with ties to New England. The executioner had a British accent and the FBI says they know who he is.
If you have any information, contact the FBI's Toll Free Tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips may also be sent to www.fbi.gov/ISILtips.
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