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Update: IS threatens to kill Japanese hostage, Jordanian pilot in 24 hours

Xinhua, January 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Islamic State (IS) militant group threatened to kill a Japanese hostage and Jordanian pilot within 24 hours if female suicide bomber is not released.

In a video posted online Tuesday afternoon, Japanese freelance journalist Kenji Goto appeared with a message to the Japanese government.

Goto asked the Japanese government to place pressure on Jordan to hand over Sajida Rishawi, a suicide bomber who in 2005 failed to detonate an explosive belt she was wearing and was later arrested and sentenced to death.

Rishawi is an Iraqi woman who has close ties with Abu Musab Zarqawi, former leader of al-Qaida cell in Iraq.

According to the unverified video, Japanese hostage also said IS will only release himself if Sajida is released by Jordan.

If Sajida is not released in 24 hours, IS will kill Goto and the Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh who was captured by IS after his plane crashes last month in Syria.

Also on Tuesday, Jordan Armed Forces said it was working on verifying the authenticity of the video, adding that it was following up closely on what was mentioned in the video. Endit