CIA reveals Osama Bin Laden's massive computer stash of family videos, animated films and horrifying footage of beheadings

The terrorist leader stored films Ice Age, BBC Great Wildlife Moments and a doc called 'Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden'
Francesca Gillett2 November 2017

The CIA has released hundreds of thousands of files which were stashed on Osama Bin Laden’s computer – including home videos and animated films alongside horrifying footage of executions.

A mammoth 470,000 files have been dumped by the US intelligence service, which were recovered from the terrorist leader’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan after he was killed in 2011.

The bizarre mix of files include light-hearted movies and documentaries like Antz, Chicken Little and BBC Great Wildlife Moments as well as sinister files showing beheadings and plans to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.

Bin Laden also stored copies of “CNN Presents: World’s Most Wanted”, a TV biography of himself and “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden”.

Toddlers and infants are seen playing on swings in the courtyard while they are filmed.
CIA

The videos also show his surprisingly ordinary and happy family life, with footage of his children and grandchildren playing in the open and baby animals on his compound.

Osama Bin Laden in 1998 at a news conference.
AP

CIA director Mike Pompeo allowed the release “in the interest of transparency and to enhance public understanding of Al-Qaeda”, the organisation said.

An hour-long video shows Hamza bin Laden - the son of Osama - sporting a trimmed mustache but no beard, at his wedding. He is sitting on a carpet with other men.
CIA

It comes after previous file dumps from Bin Laden’s computer in January this year, March 2016 and May 2015.

Hamza bin Laden is seen as an adult at his wedding.

"Today’s release of recovered al-Qa‘ida letters, videos, audio files and other materials provides the opportunity for the American people to gain further insights into the plans and workings of this terrorist organization," said CIA Director Pompeo.

The CIA has released never-before-seen videos from Osama Bin Laden's compound.

"CIA will continue to seek opportunities to share information with the American people consistent with our obligation to protect national security."

Among the files are the terrorist’s personal journal and 79,000 audio and pictures including practices for public speeches and Al-Qaeda propaganda.

More than 10,000 videos are among the stash including home videos, footage of Bin Laden’s son Hamza as a young adult and the beheading of American hostage Jack Hensely.

The CIA said the documents show proof of cracks in the relationship between Al-Qaeda and Isis.

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