Killing of Tomislav Salopek

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Kidnapping of Tomislav Salopek
Part of Islamic State beheadings
Salopek and a masked militant alongside a Black Standard from 2015 IS-SP propaganda video.
DateJuly 22, 2015 (2015-07-22)
Location
TypeKidnapping, abduction
MotiveRetaliation against Croatian military intervention in the War against the Islamic State
PerpetratorIslamic State – Sinai Province
Missing1
AccusedAhraf Ali al-Gharabali
(Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna)

On 22 July 2015, Croatian expatriate worker Tomislav Salopek was kidnapped and abducted by the Islamic State – Sinai Province (IS-SP).[1][2] The militant group purported to have detained him in Egypt, later claiming to have murdered him by decapitation.[3][2] The group claimed the attack was in retaliation against Croatian military intervention in the war against the Islamic State alongside NATO. Salopek is considered to be the first Croatian citizen to be murdered by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[4][2]

Croatian and Egyptian authorities led a 22-day international rescue mission to extract Salopek during his abduction. On 12 August 2015 IS-SP released a still image purporting to show Salopek's decapitated body, marking the first hostage execution in Egypt.[3] An investigation followed wherin Egypt identified Islamist organization Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna as a potential conspirator and executed Ahraf Ali al-Gharabali in relation to the killing.

Biography

Tomislav Salopek
Born
Tomislav Salopek

2 June 1984
Vrpolje, Croatia
Disappeared22 July 2015
Cairo, Egypt
Diedc. 12 August 2015(2015-08-12) (aged 31)
Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Cause of death
Decapitation
OccupationGeographic topographer

Tomislav Salopek (2 June 1984 - c. 12 August 2015) was a Croatian expatriate worker and geographic topographer born in Vrpolje, a small town in Croatia near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated from the Secondary Geodetic Technical School and was a geodetic technician. He was employed at the Zagreb Geophysics Institute.[1] In addition to Croatia, he worked in Egypt, Syria, Libya, Iraq and Tunisia. He had a wife, Nataša, and two children. Salopek previously survived a near-kidnapping in Syria.[5]

Kidnapping

Salopek was working for Compagnie Générale de Géophysique (CGG) at the time when was kidnapped on 22 July 2015, while he was on his way to CGG's business site near Cairo.[6] An armed group intercepted Salopek and seized his vehicle. The group drove off with him in an unknown direction.[6]

Salopek's whereabouts were unknown for the following two weeks. On 5 August 2015, a video titled A Message to the Egyptian Government was uploaded to several video services in which Wilayah Sinai is seen detaining a man who self-identified as Tomislav Salopek. Salopek was kneeling while a masked man with a knife in his hand stood beside him. He was forced to read a note stating that ISIL demands Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to release "Muslim women" from Egyptian prisons, warning that he will be executed within 48 hours if their demands are not met.[6][4]

A CGG spokesman later stated that the kidnappers had contacted the company via e-mail, after first contacting Salopek's wife, and demanded tens of millions of euros for Salopek's release. The company repeatedly urged Salopek's captors to give them confirmation that he was still alive. It is suspected that Salopek was first kidnapped by one group that asked CGG for ransom, and that they eventually, for unknown reasons, handed him over to ISIL.[7][8]

Rescue mission

The Croatian government immediately set off a diplomatic initiative in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to extract Salopek during his abduction. Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić later stated that many other countries also helped, including two of Croatia's close allies, the United States and Germany, as well as France, the United Kingdom and fellow European Union member states. Russia and Serbia offered their support.[9][10] Simultaneously with Salopek's kidnapping, the opening of the New Suez Canal was to take place. President of France François Hollande stated that a mission to locate Salopek was underway in a speech at the canal's opening ceremony.[11]

When the footage was published, Vesna Pusić, Salopek's wife Nataša, and agents of the Croatian Secret Service traveled to Cairo, where Pusić met with her Egyptian colleague Sameh Shoukry. Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, a former NATO official, spoke with Egyptian President Sisi. The president of the main organization of Muslims in Croatia, Aziz Effendi Hasanović, sent a "call for help to the Arab Republic of Egypt to save an innocent life".[12] He contacted, among others, Egyptian government officials and the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Allam.[12]

In the next few days, four Egyptian security services in cooperation with the Egyptian army and the police launched a major rescue operation. The entire operation was personally led by the Egyptian Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghafar. Security forces searched a series of terrorist strongholds in the cities of Sheikh Zuweid, Rafah and Arish, as well as locations the Egypt-Libya and Gaza–Egypt borders.[13][14][15]

Death

On 12 August 2015, ISIL supporters uploaded a photograph purporting to show the decapitated body of Salopek to social media platforms. Buried in the sand next to the body was the Black Standard used by the militant group. They declared that his execution was in retaliation for Croatia's participation in the international coalition against ISIL. Croatia, an EU and NATO member as well as a noted peacekeeping force, was supplying small arms to governmental anti-ISIL forces in the Levant.[16] Immediately after the image's release, Croatian President Grabar-Kitarović canceled all her activities for the day and held an emergency press briefing.[17]

Aftermath

Investigation

Egyptian intelligence services stated that Salopek was kidnapped by Iraqi Islamist organization Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna and taken to Libya, where they subsequently killed him.[18] In November 2015, Egyptian authorities proclaimed that they eliminated a suspect of Salopek's murder Ahraf Ali al-Gharabali.[19] Salopek's body was never found nor returned to the family.[20]

Military response

Joining the Global Coalition against ISIL in 2014,[21] Croatia significantly expanded military operations against the Islamic State after the kidnapping in 2015.[22][23] Two years later in 2017, the Croatian Armed Forces joined U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and Kuwait for Operation Inherent Resolve for nearly a decade to further repel ISIL.[24][25] Croatia redeployed soldiers to Iraq for non-combat Iraqi counterterrorism support in 2024.[26] Two years later, in 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the coalition's intent to expand its military remit to include ISIL in sub-Saharan Africa and ISIL within Central Asia.[27]

Reactions

Domestic

Croatian President Grabar-Kitarović said: "as long as there is one glimmer of hope and one ounce of a chance that our Tomislav is still alive we will continue working, searching and trying to save his life. I would like to express gratitude to all those who are working on this case. First of all to the Croatian institutions and second, to all friendly countries and agencies, including many friends from Arab countries who are trying to save Tomislav's life."[28] Prime Minister Zoran Milanović called an emergency press conference over the execution, starting that he "[could not] 100% be certain" of the photo's authenticity, but that "it [looked] horrific."[29]

International

Following the image's publication, many state officials condemned Salopek's execution:

  • United States: State Department issued a statement in which they wrote: "Our thoughts are with Mr. Salopek's family and friends and Croatian people. If this news is confirmed, the murder of Mr. Salopek will be staggering crime that is at the core of ISIL's extremist agenda. We strongly condemn the brutality towards innocent victims throughout the Middle East. United States stand shoulder to shoulder with the Croatian people and all our partners in the fight against terrorism."[30]
  • United Kingdom: British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stated: "If these reports are accurate I strongly condemn the alleged brutal murder of Croatian citizen Tomislav Salopek by ISIL in Egypt. My thoughts are with his family and colleagues and with the Croatian people. Britain will stand by Egypt and Croatia in continuing opposition to this inhumane type of terrorism."[31]
  • Germany: The German Foreign Ministry also condemned this crime in its statement: "This heinous act shows once again that the fanatical ideology of ISIS threats to all of us. Germany will in cooperation with its international partners continue to do everything possible to suppress ISIS, not only militarily, but above all politically."[32]
  • France: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius stated: "I'm terrified about the news that the terrorist group announced that it murdered Croatian hostage. If confirmed this despicable murder will confirm once more cowardly and barbaric nature of this terrorist organization. I express my solidarity with the Croatian government and the people as well as with the family of Mr. Salopek. France condemns all forms of terrorism and stand with Croatia and Egypt in fight against this scourge."[33]
  • Spain: Spain expressed full solidarity to Croatia and Egypt and offered its condolences to Salopek's family.[34]

See also

References

  1. Hellasije (2017-04-30). "Tomislav Salopek Biografija". Biografije Poznatih (in Serbian). Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  2. "ISIL's Egypt affiliate 'beheads Croatian hostage'". Al Jazeera. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. Jared Malsin. "Egypt's Security In Question After ISIS Beheading of Croatian". TIME. Archived from the original on 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  4. "Concern for Croatian as ISIL execution deadline looms". Al Jazeera English. 2015-08-07. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  5. "Tomislav Salopek lani se jedva spasio iz kritične situacije u Siriji". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  6. "'Ja sam Tomislav Salopek. ISIS će me pogubiti za 48 sati ako Egipat ne oslobodi muslimanke iz zatvora' - Telegram". Telegram.hr. 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  7. "Salopekova kompanija svaki je dan slala e-mail otmičarima: "Tražili smo potvrdu da je živ" - Vijesti". Index.hr. 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  8. Loveluck, Louisa (2015-08-12). "Isil claim to have beheaded Croatian hostage in Egypt". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  9. "Sreo Pusić u Kairu: Dačić u ime Srbije ponudio Hrvatskoj pomoć za oslobađanje Salopeka - Vijesti". Index.hr. 2015-08-08. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  10. "Kronologija slučaja: Tomislav Salopek otet je 22. srpnja, vijesti su dolazile na kapaljku — Vijesti.hr". Vijesti.rtl.hr. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  11. "HRT: Pusić: "Nećemo se skrivati ispod stola"" (in Croatian). Vijesti.hrt.hr. 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  12. "TALAČKA DRAMA U EGIPTU Iz Kaira se u Hrvatsku vratila i supruga otetog hrvatskog državljanina Tomislava Salopeka". Jutarnji.hr. 2015-08-08. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  13. "VELIKA OPERACIJA SPAŠAVANJA TOMISLAVA SALOPEKA Cijeli dan traju racije po mjestima na Sinaju, al-Sisi naredio: 'Dižite helikoptere!'". Jutarnji.hr. 2015-08-08. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  14. P (2015-08-08). "Egipat podigao spasilačku operaciju na najvišu razinu: Tomislavove otmičare love Apache helikopteri - Vijesti". Index.hr. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  15. Marina Barukčić (2015-08-08). "Četiri egipatske tajne službe nastavljaju potragu za Salopekom koji je navodno u Libiji — Vijesti.hr". Vijesti.rtl.hr. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  16. "Obama spomenuo Hrvate kao suborce u razbijanju IS-a, a Milanović tvrdi da ne sudjelujemo u akcijama - Vijesti". Index.hr. 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  17. Narod.hr (2015-08-12). "Predsjednica se oglasila nakon vijesti o smaknuću Tomislava Salopeka". narod.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  18. "Otkrivamo: Salopeka oteli džihadisti iz Libije, imali su krticu u francuskoj tvrtki". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  19. "Ubijen osumnjičeni za otmicu Salopeka". Glas Slavonije. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  20. "Prošle su 4 godine od ubojstva Tomislava Salopeka, Hrvata kojeg je pogubio ISIS". www.index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  21. "Partners - The Global Coalition Against Daesh". 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  22. "Members – The Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  23. "Global Coalition of nations unite to defeat terrorist organisation ISIL". GOV.UK. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  24. Drazen (2023-11-16). "The Croatian Government adopted draft decisions on the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in operations, missions, and activities in 2024". MORH. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  25. "Croatia within Operation Inherent Resolve" (PDF). OSCE. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  26. "Parliament approves deployment of troops to 12 international missions | Croatian Parliament". www.sabor.hr. 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  27. "Minister Grlić Radman participates in Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial". template.gov.hr. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  28. "Kolinda: Dok ima nade, nastavljamo potragu i nastavljamo spašavanje Tomislavovog života - Vijesti". Index.hr. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  29. "Croatian PM fears 'IS' hostage Salopek killed – DW – 08/12/2015". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  30. Toner, Mark (August 12, 2015). "Prime Minister Milanovic's statement about the reported murder of a Croatian citizen, Tomislav Salopek". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  31. "Foreign Secretary appalled at apparent murder of Croatian hostage". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  32. Amt, Auswärtiges. "Federal Foreign Office condemns apparent murder of Croatian hostage by ISIS". German Federal Foreign Office. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  33. "NAJMOĆNIJE SVJETSKE SILE STALE UZ HRVATSKU 'Amerika stoji rame uz rame s vama. Suosjećamo zbog ovog zločina s cijelim hrvatskim narodom'". Jutarnji.hr. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  34. "ŠPANJOLSKA BIJESNA ZBOG UBOJSTVA SALOPEKA 'Međunarodna zajednica ne može ostati tiha i gledati te bezumne i brutalne akcije'". Jutarnji.hr. 2015-08-14. Retrieved 2015-08-29.