Terrorists release film of ‘pilot’s killing’
DONALD TRUMP’S former national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, becoming the first Trump White House official to face criminal charges and admit guilt in a wide-ranging election investigation.
Flynn agreed to co-operate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, which focuses on Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible co-ordination between Moscow and Mr Trump’s campaign aimed at sending the Republican businessman to the White House
He told investigators a senior member of the president’s transition team directed him to make contact with Russian officials in December 2016.
Flynn was an early and vocal Trump supporter on the campaign trail and was present for big moments in the campaign, the following transition period and the early days of Mr Trump’s presidency, making him a valuable potential tool for prosecutors and agents.
His business dealings and foreign interactions have made him a central focus of Mr Mueller’s investigation.
Flynn admitted to lying about his conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the US during the transition period before Mr Trump’s inauguration.
In a statement, the retired Army lieutenant general accepted responsibility for his actions and added: “My guilty plea and agreement to co-operate with the Special Counsel’s Office reflect a decision I made in the best interests of my family and of our country.”
Flynn is the fourth former Trump associate to face charges in the investigation, and the first who served in the White House. He has been under investigation for a range of allegations, including lobbying work on behalf of Turkey, but the fact that he was charged with only a single count of false statements suggests he is co-operating with Mr Mueller in exchange for leniency.
White House lawyer Ty Cobb sought to distance the plea from Mr Trump himself, saying, “Nothing about the guilty plea or the charge implicates anyone other than Mr Flynn.”
The Islamic State group has released a video allegedly showing a Syrian pilot the extremists captured more than a year ago being set on fire while alive.
The video apparently showed Major Azzam Eid being chained to a tree while wearing a red uniform, before being set on fire.
The man could be heard screaming in pain before his body became charred.
It was not clear when the incident occurred and IS did not give further details in the video.