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Islamic State hostage's wife issues plea after ultimatum

The wife of a Japanese hostage held by Islamic State has spoken for the first time since her husb...
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.58 29 Jan 2015


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Islamic State hostage'...

Islamic State hostage's wife issues plea after ultimatum

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.58 29 Jan 2015


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The wife of a Japanese hostage held by Islamic State has spoken for the first time since her husband was captured after the militants sent her an ultimatum.

Kenji Goto has been held captive since last October, with the jihadist group demanding Jordan releases failed Iraqi suicide bomber Sajida al Rishawi in return for his freedom.

IS has said it will also allow captured Jordanian pilot Lieutenant Muath al Kasaesbeh to return home if its demands are met.

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Mr Goto's wife, Rinko, has now issued a statement saying she fears it is the "last chance" for her husband.

"I have not spoken out until now as I have been trying to protect my children and family from the media attention Kenji’s plight has created around the world," she said.

"I fear that this is the last chance for my husband and we now have only a few hours left to secure his release and the life of Lt Muath al Kaseasbeh.

"My husband and I have two very young daughters. Our baby girl was only three weeks old when Kenji left. I hope our oldest daughter, who is just two, will get to see her father again.

"I want them both to grow up knowing their father. My husband is a good and honest man who went to Syria to show the plight of those who suffer."

She said she had previously been contacted by the group, who had demanded $200m, before she and the militants exchanged "several emails".

But she said had received the following message from kidnappers in the past 20 hours:

"Rinko,

"YOU MUST PUBLICISE AND EXPOSE THIS MESSAGE TO THE WORLD MEDIA NOW! OTHERWISE KENJI WILL BE NEXT!

"If Sajida is not on the Turkish border ready for the exchange for Kenji by Thursday 29th Jan at sunset, The Jordanian pilot will be executed immediately!"

Mrs Goto thanked the Jordan and Japan governments, but issued a plea to the two countries' governments.

"I beg the Jordanian and Japanese Government to understand that the fates of both men are in their hands," she said.

"My family was based in Jordan when I was young, and I went to school in Amman until I was 12 years old, so I have great affection and fond memories of Jordan and its people."

An audio recording purportedly from Mr Goto had previously emerged, which also demanded al Rishawi's release.


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