Kidnappers in Philippines release video of beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel

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.

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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.