- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Japanese Hostage Reportedly Beheaded by Islamic State Militants

© AP Photo / Eugene HoshikoPeople walk by a screen showing TV news reports of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, held by the Islamic State group, in Tokyo Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015
People walk by a screen showing TV news reports of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, held by the Islamic State group, in Tokyo Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Islamic State insurgents reportedly released a video, saying that the Japanese hostage Kenji Goto had been executed.

MOSCOW, January 31 (Sputnik) — Islamic State (IS) insurgents released a video Saturday, announcing that they had executed Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, Reuters reported, quoting the SITE Intelligence group.

People holding placards take part in a vigil in front of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence in Tokyo, January 30, 2015 - Sputnik International
Asia
Situation With Japanese Hostage Held by IS in Deadlock, Official Says
The video shows a man standing over Goto with a knife, followed by footage of a body with a head placed on it, agency reported.

The man on the video reportedly addresses Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying: "Because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."

The Japanese government is trying to authenticate the video with alleged captive beheading, public broadcaster NHK said on
Sunday.

"We are working to confirm its authenticity. The United States strongly condemns ISIL’s actions and we call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. We stand in solidarity with our ally Japan," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan stated, Reuters reported.

Protesters holding placards chant Save Kenji during a demonstration in front of the Prime Minister's Official residence in Tokyo - Sputnik International
Asia
Rally Demanding Talks With IS Over Japanese Hostage Release Held in Tokyo
In a video released earlier, a voice claiming to be Kenji Goto warned that he and Jordanian Air Force pilot Muath Kasaesbeh will be killed by the militant group unless he is exchanged for a failed suicide bomber facing a death sentence in Jordan.

"I only have 24 hours left to live, and the pilot has even less," Goto is heard as saying.

Goto reportedly went to Syria in October 2014 in order to negotiate the release of Haruna Yukawa, a Japanese security company executive. The IS extremists demanded earlier a $200-million ransom for the two Japanese captives.

 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала