The Syrian Observation for Human Rights (SOHR) reported today that rebels linked with al-Qaeda have executed Italian Jesuit priest Fr. Paolo Dall'Oglio, 59.
Fr. Dall'Oglio disappeared in the city of Raqqa, northeastern Syria, on July 29.
The organization stated local activists said he was killed while being held by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).
Fr. Dall'Oglio disappeared in the city of Raqqa, northeastern Syria, on July 29.
The organization stated local activists said he was killed while being held by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).
Fr. Dall'Oglio was expelled from Syria in June 2012, after serving at the Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian for three decades, as the authorities believe he stood against the regime and supported the opposition since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011.
He had served at the Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian, or Deir Mar Moussa, for about three decades.
In January 2013, he returned to Syria and tried to heal rifts between activists in a bid to create a united and strong opposition front.
"Father Paolo is known for his support for the Syrian people in their demands for freedom and dignity," the Observatory said to Allvoices.
"His messages of support and solidarity and calls to end bloodshed cost him dearly, with the Syrian regime denying his right to live in Syria and continue his decades long work in Deir Mar Moussa a monastery that turned into a center for interfaith dialogue."
SOHR urged all Syrian opposition forces to pressure the ISIS fighters to reveal exactly what happened to Dall'Oglio.
He had served at the Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian, or Deir Mar Moussa, for about three decades.
In January 2013, he returned to Syria and tried to heal rifts between activists in a bid to create a united and strong opposition front.
"Father Paolo is known for his support for the Syrian people in their demands for freedom and dignity," the Observatory said to Allvoices.
"His messages of support and solidarity and calls to end bloodshed cost him dearly, with the Syrian regime denying his right to live in Syria and continue his decades long work in Deir Mar Moussa a monastery that turned into a center for interfaith dialogue."
SOHR urged all Syrian opposition forces to pressure the ISIS fighters to reveal exactly what happened to Dall'Oglio.