The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has beheaded two women along with their husbands accused with practicing ‘sorcery and witchcraft’ in the town of Al-Mayadeen, nearly 45 km to the south of Deir ez-Zor.
The murdered couples were caught possessing charms and amulets; something that is very common among the people particularly in rural areas. Amulets contain verses from the Holy Quran, usually written in very small words on a tiny piece of paper and then sewn into fabric.
According to local activists, the disgraceful incident took place on Sunday and Monday, with a couple executed on each day.
The group views the use of such religion ‘manifestations’ as heretical and contradictory to the orthodox teachings of Islam.
In fact, ISIS has killed and tortured people for ‘alleged crimes’ far more minor; smoking cigarettes, listening to music or even wearing a jeans are enough to get yourself on the ‘death list’.
ISIS has built a notorious reputation for its brutal state-of-the-art methods of executing its victims including beading, throwing people from high places, drowning, burning people alive, execution with RPG from a close range and blowing up heads.
Women in ISIS-held areas had their share of the pain as well; stoning to death on allegations of adultery has been a common way to die in the self-proclaimed Caliphate.
ISIS militants have reportedly decapitated female Kurdish fighters during their failed push to take over Ayn Arab (Kobani) in 2014.
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