Japanese government urged to seek Turkey help in freeing ISIL-held hostages
A Japanese expert has called on the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to seek Turkey’s mediation in efforts to free the two hostages from Japan held by the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group operating in Syria and Iraq.
Ko Nakata, an expert on Islamic law and a former professor at Kyoto’s Doshisha University, also said on Thursday that Tokyo should pay the 200-million-dollar ransom required by the ISIL for the two Japanese hostages.
The ISIL terrorist group released a video on January 20, threatening to kill the two Japanese hostages unless Tokyo pays the ransom within 72 hours.
Nakata proposed that the Japanese government distribute the ransom as humanitarian aid among refugees and residents in the areas that “the Red Crescent Society is operating under the Islamic State (ISIL)’s control.”
“Why don’t we seek Turkey’s mediation and give the money for the people affected by the conflicts in Iraq and Syria? I believe this could be a rational, acceptable option,” Ko Nakata said.
Nakata also asked the ISIL to “explain the group’s plan to the Japanese government, and wait for a counter proposal from our side.”
Possible channels
Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that Tokyo was looking for all possible channels to contact the hostage takers.
He added that Japan had not received any message from the Takfiri militants since Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference in al-Quds (Jerusalem) on Tuesday, the Japanese premier urged the ISIL terrorist group to immediately release the two Japanese hostages unharmed.
“I strongly demand that they not be harmed and that they be immediately released. I am extremely indignant at such an act,” Abe said.
One of the hostages appeared in a previous footage posted last August, in which he identified himself as Haruna Yukawa, the founder of a private security firm. The second hostage is Kenji Goto, who is a freelance journalist.
The ISIL terrorists have been engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control in Iraq and Syria. They have terrorized and killed people of all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
DB/HJL/MHB
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