This Article is From Jan 28, 2015

Islamic State Threatens to Kill Two More Hostages

Islamic State Threatens to Kill Two More Hostages

The audio message released by Islamic State had this image, showing Japanese hostage Kenji Goto Jogo, on it.

New Delhi: The Islamic State militant group has issued an audio message threatening to kill the second Japanese hostage they hold, as well as a Jordanian F-16 pilot captured in December. The release follows the same pattern as the first threat, after which another Japanese national was executed.

The message, about a minute and 50 seconds long, features a still picture of journalist Kenji Goto Jogo in an orange jumpsuit, with what seems to be his voice overlaid on it. The voice says, "I'm Kenji Goto Jogo. I've been told this is my last message." Chillingly, he adds, "I have only 24 hours to live and the Jordanian pilot has even less."

The voice, thought to be that of Mr Jogo, further goes on to that his release is depends solely on the decision of the Jordanian government, over whether or not to release Sajeda al-Rashawi, who is presently on death row for her role in the suicide attacks on the Radisson Hotel and other targets in Amman, Jordan's capital. Her explosive belt reportedly didn't detonate.

"Tell the Japanese government to put all the political pressure on Jordan. Time is now running very short. It is ME FOR HER. What seems to be so difficult to understand? She has been a prisoner for a decade and I've only been a prisoner for a few months. HER FOR ME - a straight exchange. Any more delays by the Jordanian government will mean they're responsible for death of their pilot which will then be followed by mine," the voice believed to be Mr Jogo is heard saying angrily in the clip.

IS had changed tack from it earlier ransom demand of $200 million, seeking Sajeda's release after announcing the 'execution' of Haruna Yukawa, the other Japanese hostage featured in the first video with Mr Jogo.

The pilot being referred to is the first military member from the US-led coalition captured by Islamic State militants, Lt Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh. He was captured after his aircraft went down in Syria during an air-strike in December 2014. While IS claimed it had shot down his F-16, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) had said the jet crashed.

Japan had rushed Deputy Foreign Minister Yusuhide Nakayama to Jordan's capital Amman after a first IS message appeared a week ago. On Monday, Mr Nakayama told the media after another crisis meeting, "I hope we can all firmly work hard and join hands to cooperate in order for us to see the day when the Jordanian pilot and our national Mr Goto, can both safely return to their own countries with a smile on their faces."

.