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Brazil condemns IS kidnapping of Japanese

Xinhua, January 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Brazilian government on Thursday condemned the kidnapping of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State and the threat to kill both of them unless Japan pays a ransom.

"The Brazilian government vehemently condemns the kidnapping of two Japanese citizens and hopes they are released quickly," said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The Brazilian government also showed solidarity with the hostages' families and the people and government of Japan.

The IS announced the kidnapping on Tuesday, through a video, and gave Japan 72 hours to pay 200 million U.S. dollars for the lives of the hostages, identified as Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that Japan will not pay any ransom and that the international community will not bow to terrorists and will fight terrorism. Endi