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Algeria condemns murder of Japanese hostage in Iraq

Xinhua, January 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Algeria strongly condemns the "cowardly" murder of Japanese national Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State (IS) Sunday in Iraq.

IS released a video showing Haruna Yukawa's assassination once the 72-hour 200 million U.S. dollars ransom deadline set for the Japanese government expired on Friday.

"Algeria staunchly condemns the dastardly assassination of Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa by the IS terrorist organization," Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, Foreign Ministry spokesman, was quoted by APS news agency.

"We are outraged by this heinous, barbaric crime, and demand the immediate release of the second hostage, journalist Kenji Goto," he added.

"While reiterating its rejection of all forms of terrorism, Algeria sympathizes with the victim's family, and stands in solidarity with the Japanese Government," concluded the official.

Presently, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has required that IS immediately release its second hostage. However, IS said they are prepared to swap Goto with one of their members detained by Jordanian authorities. Endit