Japan condemns apparent IS 'execution,' demands release of second hostage
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Japan condemns apparent IS 'execution,' demands release of second hostage, 24 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a41c6.html [accessed 23 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 24, 2015
Japan said it was verifying a video that claims Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa, held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has been killed.
IS on January 20 threatened to kill Yukawa and another Japanese hostage, Kenji Goto, unless Japan paid a $200-million ransom within 72 hours.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived at his office in Tokyo after midnight on January 25, condemned the latest video as "an outrageous and unacceptable act of violence."
The video purports to show Goto holding a picture of what appears to be the body of Yukawa. It also says the group will release Goto only in exchange for the release of Al-Qaeda-linked attempted female suicide bomber Sajida Rishwai, an Iraqi held in Jordan.
Japanese cabinet ministers are holding an emergency meeting about the video.
Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
