You are right but they could lie about how he died or even IF he died. I would have thought that if they had a chance to take him alive they would. They certainly would not want him to become a martyr or make his capture public for fear of uprising more extremist support for him. just say he's dead and keep him captive. Alque da will confirm his death to try to give him the martyr status, as they know there is no way he will ever be liberated right?

In any case he is as good as dead thats for sure.