TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday, January 29, 2015, that Tokyo is reviewing the authenticity of the latest video posted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which contains a message that the group threatens to kill Japanese and Jordanian hostages if one of their imprisoned member is not released.
"We are aware of the new message," Abe said during a parliament session. "Now, we are verifying [its authenticity], but we will do our best to secure the release of the Japanese national as soon as possible," he added.
Previously, Tokyo had requested for help from the Jordanian government to rescue Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, who has been abducted by ISIS.
In the latest online message uploaded on Thursday morning Japanese time, the militants demanded that Amman hand over a female jihadist by the name of Sajida al-Rishawi, who has been sentenced with capital punishment for her role in three hotel bombings in that killed 60 people in 2006.
The newest message, apparently recorded using Goto's voice, instructed Jordan to release Rishawi in exchange for Goto's life, or they will also kill the Jordanian pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh who is currently being held by the militants.
ANTARANEWS
