An old friend of an Aberdeen man fighting for an Islamic extremist group in the Middle East has confirmed that he is still alive.
Abdul Rakib Amin – a former Sunnybank Primary and St Machar Academy pupil – featured in a terrorist recruitment video for the Islamic State – or Isis – in June.
The Bangladeshi-born man, who prayed at the same mosque as Mr Amin in the Spital, heard the news through his relatives in the UK.
Rumours surfaced in mid-July that Mr Amin had been killed during an air strike in Iraq.
But his friend said: “He’s alive, I know that. There was a rumour going around he got shot dead or something.
“I know he’s alive, I don’t know where he is at the moment, but the chances are he is in Syria.”
Mr Amin – who is in his 20s – is believed to have been born in the town of Molobi-bazar, in the region of Sylhet in Bangladesh.
His family moved to the Froghall area of Aberdeen when he was a youngster.
The family are believed to have moved to Leicester several years ago, while his father is thought to have returned to Molobi-bazar.
It understood that he has made contact with members of his family to confirm that he is alive.
His pal said: “I understand the family are just not happy with him being out there, however they can’t change that he’s out there, they can’t do anything about it.
“They are hoping he returns home one day, but I don’t think there is any way for him to return. It’s a one-way road. How long they can keep fighting the way they are doing it?
“It’s a real shame the type of messages they have sent, they shouldn’t be picking on innocent people as well.
“That British aid worker (David Haines) has probably done nothing but good for people his whole life.”