Assad regime planned US journalist Austin Tice's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds
A BBC investigation reveals that the 2012 kidnapping of US journalist Austin Tice in Syria was a pre-planned operation sanctioned by the Assad regime. Despite the regime's collapse, Tice remains missing, and his fate is currently unknown.
Why it matters
This provides closure on the nature of Tice's disappearance, highlighting the targeted nature of violence against journalists in conflict zones.
Image source, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Image caption, Austin Tice filed high-profile news reports during the Syrian civil war
US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, was kidnapped in a calculated operation which was more than a month in the planning, the BBC can reveal.
A member of the group which detained Tice has also claimed the abduction was sanctioned by Syria's leader at the time, President Bashar al-Assad.
Tice was seen getting into a car with a driver he knew and trusted. For years, many assumed they had stumbled upon a government checkpoint, and that the abduction of the journalist had been opportunistic.
But we have uncovered evidence that, in fact, his disappearance was anything but chance.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in