Daesh militants have set a fresh deadline to exchange Sajida al-Rishawi, a convicted terrorist, for Jordanian pilot Mu’ath Kasasbeh in a new audio message.
While the fate of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto remains unknown, the audio recording believed to be read out by the kidnapped journalist states al-Rishawi should be taken to the Turkish border by sunset.
Despite the recording not yet being verified, Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe said it was likely the message was released by Daesh.
The militant group warned that Kasasbeh, who has been held by the Islamist group since December, will be “killed immediately” should the deadline not be met.
Amid confusion over the prisoner exchange, the new audio recording implies Goto is alive but is no longer part of a possible swap deal.
Jordanian authorities had confirmed accepting Daesh’s demand to release al-Rishawi Wednesday despite conflicting reports.
