Jerusalem: The militant Islamic State group, which holds territory in Iraq and Syria, issued a video online on Tuesday (January 20), purporting to show two Japanese captives and demanding $200 million (USD) from the Japanese government to save their lives.
The clip showed a figure wearing black clothing and holding a knife, standing along with two kneeling men wearing orange clothes. The militant did not specify a currency, but an Arabic subtitle identified it as US dollars.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the threat was unacceptable and demanded their safe return. Abe on Saturday (January 17) pledged $200 million in non-military aid for countries contending with fighting Islamic State.
“I strongly demand that they not be harmed and that they be immediately released,” he told a news conference during a visit to Jerusalem. “I am extremely indignant at such an act”, he said.
Abe said the aid had nothing to do with curbing IS extremists. The militant, who spoke with a British accent, appeared to have the same voice as a jihadist shown threatening captives in previous Islamic State videos.
IS has threatened to kill the two Japanese hostages unless it receives a $200 million ransom within 72 hours, but Abe vowed not give in to “terrorism”.
“The international community will not give in to terrorism and we have to make sure that we work together,” Abe said as he wound up a Middle East tour and prepared to fly home.
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Ventuno/ANI