Members of the Islamic State militant group circulated an online video on Saturday claiming they have executed Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa.
A still image of the second Japanese man held by the group, Kenji Goto Jogo, appears in the video holding a picture purportedly of Yukawa’s body. In audio, a man purporting to be Goto pleads for his life and says the militant group is now demanding a prisoner exchange for a suspected female militant imprisoned in Jordan, Sajida al-Rishawi.
–
Speaking after the release of Tuesday’s video, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the kidnappings “unacceptable” and called on the militants to release the captives. Asked whether the Japanese government would pay the ransom, Abe said his administration “attaches the utmost priority to saving lives.”
This is breaking news. Check back later for updates.
