James Foley: ISIS Demanded Multimillion Ransom, US Refused To Pay---Reports
According to recent reports, journalist James Foley's life would have been spared if only his abductors were given the ransom money they asked in exchange for his freedom.
New York Times claims prior to the journalist's death, ISIS had demanded the U.S. government for a multimillion-dollar ransom for his release, according to representatives of James Foley's family and a fellow hostage. However, the U.S. reportedly refused to heed to the militants' demands and didn't pay. Boston Globe adds Foley's family also received emails from ISIS dating back to last fall which included various demands for ransom money and other arrangements for his freedom.
ISIS is still demanding money for the other three captives and threatens to kill them if their demands are not met, according to statements released from the interviews of newly released captives and family members of the victims.
The militant group has reportedly already threatened to kill another hostage as seen on the execution video of James Foley. Freelance journalist Steven Joel Sotloff, who works for Time magazine, is seen on the video dressed in orange and his hands handcuffed behind his back on the same desert where Foley was beheaded.
"The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the ISIS executioner said.
However, the U.S. is apparently not the only country refusing to pay ransom money in exchange for the captives' freedom. Former hostages reportedly claimed Britain also refused to pay for the release of their citizens.
According to the site ISIS has also demanded prisoner swaps. The group has asked for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, an M.I.T.-trained Pakistani neuroscientist who is being held prisoner in Texas. He is believed to have ties to another militant group, the Al Qaeda.
The revelation that ISIS is willing to release their hostages in exchange for money has previously been witnessed. NY Times reports four French and three Spanish citizens were released this year after their country paid the ransom money. The money was believed to have been delivered through an intermediary as revealed by a couple of the victims and their colleagues.
The Guardian claims the British executioner who called himself John in the video is believed to be the middleman in ransom negotiations. He is reportedly behind the talks of the release of the 11 Islamic State hostages who were returned to their country in Turkey after the payment was made.
NY Times suggests the unwillingness of the U.S. government to pay the ransom money only indicates a lesser chance of release for the Americans held captive. Although a handful of them reportedly managed to run away and only a few rescued in special operations. The fate of the remaining U.S. hostages according to the site is left under two choices- be held prisoners indefinitely or be killed.
Source:YouTube/Latest News