Isis Dabiq magazine shows 'execution photos' of hostages Ole Johan Grimsgaard and Fan Jinghui

Islamic State (Isis) has claimed the execution of two hostages – Norway's Ole Johan Grimsgaard and China's Fan Jinghui – in the most recent edition of its propaganda magazine Dabiq, showing one of the pair with single bullet wound to the head.

Highly stylised images of the two hostages have appeared in the 12<sup>th issue of the IS propaganda publication alongside the word "executed". The pair are shown in black and white, blindfolded, and then apparently dead, covered in blood and wearing yellow jump suits. IS claims Grimsgaard and Fan were "abandoned by the kafir [unbeliever] nations and organisations".

The two hostages appeared in the previous edition of Dabiq in an advertisement for their sale. It appeared after IS was unable to garner ransom money from the Nowegian and Chinese nationals, the militant group looked for another organisation to offer funds.

The images said the men were "for sale" and list a telegram number for "whoever would like to pay the ransom for their release and transfer".

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed on 9 September that a Norwegian citizen in his 40s had been taken hostage in Syria towards the end of January. However, she said Norway would not pay his ransom. Chinese officials have not commented on Fan's kidnapping.