Islamic State releases new audio message by Japanese hostage

Junko Ishido, left, the mother of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto who is being held hostage by the Islamic State group, speaks during a press conference at her home in Koganei on the outskirts of Tokyo late on Jan. 28, 2015. Junko Ishido, left, the mother of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto who is being held hostage by the Islamic State group, speaks during a press conference at her home in Koganei on the outskirts of Tokyo late on Jan. 28, 2015.

By Associated Press January 28, 2015 5 min read

BEIRUT — The Islamic State group released a message late Wednesday purportedly by Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, extending the deadline for Jordan’s release of an Iraqi would-be hotel bomber linked to al-Qaida.

The audio was released as Jordan had offered a precedent-setting prisoner swap to the Islamic State group in a desperate attempt to save a Jordanian air force pilot the militants purportedly threatened to kill, along with Goto.

The audio recording, in English, says the Jordanians must present Sajida al-Rishawi at the Turkish border by sunset Thursday, or Jordanian pilot Mu’as al-Kasaseabeh will be killed.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the contents of the recording which was distributed on Twitter by IS-affiliated accounts.

On Wednesday, the pilot’s father met with Jordan’s king who he said assured him that “everything will be fine.”