Daily Management Review

An Instagram Account Deciding on Fate of Captured ISIL Militants


03/29/2016


Instagram account 'Iraqiswat provides its subscribers an opportunity to decide the fate of captured militants of "Islamic state". The account presumably belongs to a Shiite militias group fighting against the ISIL , including representatives of the Iraqi special forces. Photos of captured militants regularly placed therein are accompanied by a call for users to decide their fate ("to punish or to pardon") via interactive voting.



The first publication in Iraqiswat account is dated 17 July 2015. Since then, a user with this name regularly puts the photos and videos demonstrating power of the Iraqi weapons and  military opposed to "Islamic state". In addition to the frightening pictures of soldiers, including alleged fighters of the Iraqi special forces, the unknown user regularly publishes pictures of captured men presented as "Islamic state" militants.

One of the latest photos posted in the account explains in English and Arabic: Shia fighters units arrested a "big bastard from ISIL". "You can vote: to punish or to pardon", - says the caption. There is also a warning: "If you vote for punishment, we won't be able to publish the execution photo because of Instagram (rules)". However, the account used to post photographs such as selfies of militants against the enemies' dead bodies. A caption accompanying one of these pictures is an appeal to the readers: "Thank you for your votes."

Another photo, depicting a militant walking on a street in Mosul, says: "Time to hunt for the ISIL in Mosul. Wait for new calls to vote. "

The account's readers controversially react to the proposal to decide the fate of Islamic radicals by such a vote.

"It is wonderful! Take care of yourself and destroy as many members of the ISIL as you can,"- says user 'goldenkoi012' under one of the photos . "I am proud of you guys! - says 19-year-old native of Basra, Hussein al-Sayedi, who lives in Liverpool .- Keep up the good work!", "American citizens support what you are doing! "- a user hiding under pseudonym Juicyskrt commented the pictures.

Some find the idea of ​​the verdict through social networks puzzling. "Is this a joke?" - asks user Rana Al-Jaber, adding "This is so strange."

However, as British Express portal estimated, in most cases subscribers vote for the penalty. Such appeals are often accompanied by rude remarks against the "Islamic state" and obscene language.

source: express.co.uk