Jordan is asking the so-called Islamic State to prove that a pilot the group is holding is still alive.
Mohammed al-Momani, a spokesman for the Jordanian government, said the government is seeking proof of life before it releases Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman who was convicted in relation to a deadly attack on a hotel in Amman.
As we reported, the Islamic State was said to have released a video Wednesday that called for al-Rishawi's release before sunset Thursday. If not, the video said, the group would kill Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh.
The AP reports that al-Momani's statement casts doubt on whether the Jordanian government will meet that deadline.
The Sunni extremists are also holding Kenji Goto, a Japanese journalist.
Reuters quotes al-Momani as saying that Jordan is "coordinating with Japanese authorities on an effort to secure the release of Japanese hostage."
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
