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Fight against Islamic state

Hollande confirms two Frenchmen present in beheading video

Both men are native Frenchmen who converted to Islam

French President Francois Hollande AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool

French President Francois Hollande

© AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool

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Obama offers condolences to family of Peter Kassig killed by IS militants

PARIS, November 19. /TASS/ . French President Francois Hollande has confirmed that two Frenchmen were identified among 16 militants in an Islamic State video showing the beheading of Peter Kassig and 15 Syrian prisoners, Agence France-Presse said on November 19.

According to the French Interior Minister, one of the identified Islamists is Maxime Hauchard, 22, from Normandy and the second one is Michael Dos Santos from Champigny-sur-Marne near Paris.

Islamist's psychological portrait

The psychological portraits of both Islamists are similar. They are native Frenchmen who converted to Islam. Their views were radicalized over years. The men were spotted by emissaries of the Islamic state terrorist group in France on the Internet and social networks. They had special training before heading to Syria in 2013, where they joined the terrorists right away.

Notably, according to the Paris Prosecution Service, about 1,130 French citizens were involved in the Islamist group’s activities. Almost 400 of them, including about a hundred women, are now operating in Iraq and Syria.

A video record of US citizen Peter Kassig, 26, was released on Sunday. The hostage has become the third American beheaded by the IS militants. Fifteen Syrian servicemen, including Syrian Air Force pilots, were also killed in the video.

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France Fight against terrorism Islamic State

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

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Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

The incidents were related to flights that were not coordinated with the Russian side and involved unmanned aerial vehicles

Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

Comprehensive mechanisms require to be worked out, the head of state noted, responding to a proposal to add new tools to support of congress and exhibition activities

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Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars