Scots killed by IS ‘didn’t want ransom paid’
A SCOTTISH humanitarian worker murdered by Islamic State terrorists did not want the Government to pay a ransom for his release – even if the other likely option was death, his brother has said.
David Haines, from Perth, was killed in September last year, 18 months after he was captured while on his maiden mission bringing aid to Syrians caught up in the conflict.
His family were unable to speak publicly about the kidnapping because they feared he would be killed.
The former RAF engineer’s name was eventually made public when he appeared in the background of a video showing the execution of Steven Sotloff, an American journalist also seized by terrorists.
Mr Haines’s brother Mike said “the writing was on the wall” when David was shown in that video – brutal footage he has refused to watch, although he remains “haunted” by still images taken from it.
He recalled his brother’s unwavering support of Government policy not to negotiate with terrorists, and also warned humanitarians about following in his brother’s footsteps by heading to Syria.
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