This wasn't the first subject to lie in a story for the paper. One lied about *not* having taken part in executions, Abu Huzayfah apparently lied about having taken part in them.
Ps I haven't witnessed firsthand an execution nor obviously conducted one, but like many reporters who worked on ISIS, can describe them in detail because they featured so often in ISIS propaganda vids.
But to the main point, re lying: even bona fide ISIS members lied alot--including members who were free at the time of interviews and where they thought they were safe. One fairly enterprising ISIS member spent weeks concocting fables of things he'd witnessed to me.
Speaking of him, reminds me of what he'd described as an interrogation survival tactic that can also be used on reporters: tell them what they know or think they know...the gratification from confirmation and feeling of being invested in it's veracity is strong
And that leads to quelling doubts and contradictions without resolving them and leaving gaps unfilled.
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