ISIS Demands Ransom For Norwegian And Chinese Captives

The extremists group, Islamic State(IS) says it is holding two captives, one Norwegian and one Chinese, and is offering to release them in return for a ransom.The group stated this in the latest edition of its Dabiq English-language magazine.
IS, also posted the names, dates of birth, occupations and educational information of the two captives, along with photos on social media, and two posters on Thursday.
The posters list an Iraqi telephone number to contact for negotiations.
“Whoever would like to pay the ransom for his release and transfer can contact the following telegram number,” each poster stated, saying the offer was for a “limited time.”
The Chinese national was named as Fan Jinghui, born 1965, and the Norwegian was identified as Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, born 1967.
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed late Wednesday “a sizeable ransom” had been demanded for a citizen, but added that Oslo “doesn’t pay ransom,” which she said would put other Norwegians at risk.
In the same vein, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman told a press conference on Thursday: “We are verifying the relevant reports, adding that China resolutely opposes all violence against civilians.”
It would be recalled that Islamic State has posted online the beheadings of several foreign nationals, including aid workers and journalists, in Syria.
The group and its affiliates in other areas have also posted other gory footage of executions, including mass killings of Christian hostages, although some European hostages were released after ransoms were paid (dpa/NAN).