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Kidnappers in Philippines release video of beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel

Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines have released a video that shows the beheading of John Ridsdel, the Canadian they had held hostage for seven months, according to the SITE Intelligence group.

Ridsdel, formerly of Alberta, had been held hostage by militants for 7 months and was killed April 25

Canadian John Ridsdel was killed by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines on April 25 after he was held captive for seven months. (@JBR10000/Twitter)

AbuSayyafmilitants in the Philippineshave released a video that shows the beheading of JohnRidsdel, the Canadian they had held hostage for seven months, according to the SITE Intelligence group.

SITE is a Washington-based group that researches and monitors networks linked to terrorism.

CBC News is not airing the footage.

Ridsdel, a former Alberta resident,was one of four hostages, including fellow CanadianRobert Hall, held by the AbuSayyafmilitants since last September.

Ridsdel, 68, was described as semi-retiredandwasthe former chief operating officer of mining company TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Canada's TVI Pacific, where he was a consultant.

The kidnappers killedRidsdel, 68, on April 25after a ransom deadline they issued had lapsed.

The al-Qaeda-linked group has been known to take hostages for years, and currently has more than a dozen foreign hostages, including another Canadian, in their custody.

The RCMP is investigatingRidsdel'sdeath.