(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A new video message showing a likely image of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, taken hostage by a group believed to be Islamic State (ISIL) militants, has been posted online with an audio statement on Tuesday, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.
In the audio message, a man who claims to be Goto demands that Jordan swiftly release Sajida Al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman on death row for an attempted suicide bombing in Jordan in 2005, saying he has "24 hours left to live." The voice called for the one-to-one exchange of Goto and Al-Rishawi, saying, "Her for me. A straight exchange." A Japanese government source said it is aware of the statement, adding it was likely posted by the hostage-takers, according the report.
"I've been told this is my last message, and I've been told that the barrier obstructing my freedom is now just the Jordanian government delaying the handover of Sajida," the voice said.
The voice also called on the Japanese government to "put all their political pressure on Jordan." The image of the man likely to be Goto wearing an orange garment is holding a picture of a man who appears to be 1st Lt. Muath Al Kasaesbeh, a Jordanian military pilot apparently held hostage by ISIL. "Time is now running very short," the message said. "I only have 24 hours left to live, and the pilot has even less." The message carried a written English statement saying it is the second message to the family of Goto and the Japanese government.
Tokyo continued to make diplomatic efforts to win the release of the 47-year-old freelance journalist Goto, following the apparent killing of Haruna Yukawa, 42, the other Japanese man who had been held captive by a group believed to Islamic State. Last week, the captors changed their demand from seeking USD 200 million to the release of the death row inmate in Jordan.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.