ISIS orders accused Egyptian spy to dig his own grave before executing him

An Egyptian man is forced to dig his own grave before being executed by the Islamic State in this sequence of video screenshots released by ISIS and picked up online by Catholic.org. (Catholic.org)

An Egyptian man who was accused of working for the Israeli intelligence was forced by Islamic State militants to dig his own grave before he was executed.

The execution was shown in a video recently released by the jihadist group as part of its campaign to sow terror and spread its version of Islam worldwide. After expanding its so-called caliphate across Iraq and Syria, ISIS reportedly has now spread its influence in some parts of Libya.

The propaganda video of the "heavily choreographed" execution, the latest in a string of similar execution videos, was released by the Islamic extremist group last week. It showed a man using a pick axe and shovel as he dug a hole in the desert, allegedly in the Sinai region of Egypt.

The video starts with the man talking in Arabic on a mobile phone following his capture by ISIS militants.

The video cuts to the next scene, in which his clothes changed to an orange jumpsuit. This is where he can be seen digging his own grave and mumbling to himself before being gunned down execution-style at the back of his head by a masked ISIS militant using a pistol.

The video was uploaded to a YouTube account from a Twitter account linked to ISIS.

An Egyptian news agency reported that the video may be false. However, the agency said the parents of the man identified him in the video, saying he was waiting to join the Egyptian military before he disappeared.

In May, the Islamic militants released a similar video, which showed a man, also in an orange jumpsuit, being forced to confess his sins before digging his own grave using a shovel and axe. Like the recent victim, he was accused of being a spy, thar time for the Syrian government. He was then beheaded.

related articles
Keeping faith: 9 Christians trapped inside ancient monastery in ISIS-occupied Iraq
Keeping faith: 9 Christians trapped inside ancient monastery in ISIS-occupied Iraq

Keeping faith: 9 Christians trapped inside ancient monastery in ISIS-occupied Iraq

ISIS hand seen in attacks against Christians in Palestinian Territories and Israel
ISIS hand seen in attacks against Christians in Palestinian Territories and Israel

ISIS hand seen in attacks against Christians in Palestinian Territories and Israel

US tries \'lily pad\' strategy against ISIS, sends more military advisers to Iraq
US tries 'lily pad' strategy against ISIS, sends more military advisers to Iraq

US tries 'lily pad' strategy against ISIS, sends more military advisers to Iraq

News
Shine, Jesus, Shine remix launched for Christmas evangelism campaign
Shine, Jesus, Shine remix launched for Christmas evangelism campaign

The project was divinely inspired, says the organiser

Sudanese human rights activist assaulted in Newcastle
Sudanese human rights activist assaulted in Newcastle

The assault happened outside Newcastle City Hall, said Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas
Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas

Conditions remain tough for Gaza's Christians despite the ceasefire.

Churches across the UK are getting into the Christmas spirit
Churches across the UK are getting into the Christmas spirit

Cathedrals and churches across the UK are embracing Advent with a flurry of festive markets, carol services and community events.