|
Al-Zarqawi says he beheaded Japan hostage
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-02 20:40 The militant group
led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the beheading
of a Japanese backpacker in a Web posting that included gruesome video of the
killing.
This undated photo
shows Shosei Koda, a 24-year-old man from Fukuoka, southern Japan, being
held hostage in Iraq. [Reuters] | In the statement on an Islamist Web site, the
al-Qaida-affiliated group said the Japanese government offered "millions of
dollars" in ransom for the safe return of Shosei Koda, whose decapitated body
was found wrapped in an American flag in northwestern Baghdad on Saturday.
"The world should know, from east to west, north to south that al-Qaida is
firm on its jihad, God willing, in spite of the Japanese government offering a
ransom of millions of dollars," the statement said.
"If Japan wants to avoid what's waiting for it, then let it simply pull out
its troops, who are allied with the Crusaders, from Iraq," the statement said.
"Otherwise, it will sink ... in the hell of the mujahedeen."
Japanese government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
A video posted on the Internet on Oct. 26 said Koda had been kidnapped by
al-Zarqawi's followers, who vowed to kill him unless Japan withdrew its troops
from Iraq. The Japanese government refused.
The beheading renewed pressure on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to
withdraw his country's troops, with the opposition blaming his pro-U.S. policy
for the slaying.
In the latest video, Koda was seated, with his arms bound behind him, on an
American flag while one of three hooded men read a statement. After they
finished, they leaped on the young Japanese, raised his head by his hair and
severed his head as they shouted "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great."
Al-Zarqawi's group is believed responsible for beheading a number of
foreigners, including three Americans and a Briton.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top World
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
