MOSCOW, January 31 (Sputnik) — Islamic State (IS) insurgents released a video Saturday, announcing that they had executed Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, Reuters reported, quoting the SITE Intelligence group.
The man on the video reportedly addresses Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying: "Because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."
The Japanese government is trying to authenticate the video with alleged captive beheading, public broadcaster NHK said on
Sunday.
"We are working to confirm its authenticity. The United States strongly condemns ISIL’s actions and we call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. We stand in solidarity with our ally Japan," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan stated, Reuters reported.
"I only have 24 hours left to live, and the pilot has even less," Goto is heard as saying.
Goto reportedly went to Syria in October 2014 in order to negotiate the release of Haruna Yukawa, a Japanese security company executive. The IS extremists demanded earlier a $200-million ransom for the two Japanese captives.
