Obama says ISIS has killed hostage; others doubtful

This file image taken from an online video released by the Islamic State group’s al-Furqan media arm on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, purports to show the group threatening to kill two Japanese hostages that the militants identify as Kenji Goto Jogo, left, and Haruna Yukawa, right, unless a $200 million ransom is paid within 72 hours. Japan’s government is investigating a new message purported to be from the Islamic State group Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 holding two Japanese hostages. The Associated Press could not verify the contents of the message, which varied greatly from previous videos released by the Islamic State group, which now holds a third of both Syria and Iraq. AP

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — President Barack Obama is condemning what he calls “the brutal murder” of a Japanese hostage by the Islamic State group.

Obama’s statement doesn’t say how the United States knows that Haruna Yukawa is dead, and the Japanese government is trying to verify an online video that purports to show his death.

That online posting was quickly deleted Saturday, and militants on a website affiliated with the terrorist group questioned its authenticity.

Tokyo had no immediate comment on Obama’s statement.

Obama says in his statement that the United States will stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Japan. He’s also calling for the immediate release of a second Japanese hostage held by the militants.

The statement was issued in Germany while Obama stopped briefly on his way to India.

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