Islamic State leader raped American hostage, U.S. says
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 August 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Islamic State leader raped American hostage, U.S. says, 15 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee96bf6.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 15, 2015
American hostage Kayla Jean Mueller, who was allegedly killed in a Jordanian air strike in February, was sexually abused by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to U.S. intelligence officials.
The 26-year-old aid worker was taken hostage by IS in August 2013 while working in Aleppo, Syria.
Baghdadi took her to the home of an IS financier known as Abu Sayyaf, who was killed in a U.S. special forces operation in May, and his wife, Umm Sayyaf.
A Yazidi teenager who was held with Mueller and escaped said that Baghdadi took Mueller as a "wife," repeatedly raping her whenever he visited Sayyaf's home.
The 14-year-old Yazidi girl talked to U.S. officials, who confirmed her account with other intelligence and informed her parents in June.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the account, reported by London's Independent newspaper.
Based on reporting by AP, The Independent, and ABC News
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
