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Justin Trudeau outrage at 'cold-blooded murder' of hostage | Justin Trudeau outrage at 'cold-blooded murder' of hostage |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the killing of a Canadian hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in the Philippines. | The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the killing of a Canadian hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in the Philippines. |
John Ridsdel, 68, was taken from a tourist resort with three others by the Abu Sayyaf group in September 2015. | John Ridsdel, 68, was taken from a tourist resort with three others by the Abu Sayyaf group in September 2015. |
In November, the Islamist militants released a video showing Mr Ridsdel and three other captives, and demanded a ransom of $80m (£55m). | In November, the Islamist militants released a video showing Mr Ridsdel and three other captives, and demanded a ransom of $80m (£55m). |
Mr Trudeau called his death "an act of cold-blooded murder". | Mr Trudeau called his death "an act of cold-blooded murder". |
On Monday, a severed head was found on remote Jolo, hours after the Abu Sayyaf ransom deadline expired. Local authorities said it belonged to a foreign man but have not confirmed whether it belonged to any of the captives. | On Monday, a severed head was found on remote Jolo, hours after the Abu Sayyaf ransom deadline expired. Local authorities said it belonged to a foreign man but have not confirmed whether it belonged to any of the captives. |
Mr Ridsdel was taken to Jolo after being kidnapped from a marina near the city of Davao, along with another Canadian, Robert Hall; a Norwegian, Kjartan Sekkingstad; and a Philippine woman, Mr Hall's girlfriend, Marites Flor. | Mr Ridsdel was taken to Jolo after being kidnapped from a marina near the city of Davao, along with another Canadian, Robert Hall; a Norwegian, Kjartan Sekkingstad; and a Philippine woman, Mr Hall's girlfriend, Marites Flor. |
Mr Ridsdel later warned in a video released by the group that he was due to be killed on 25 April if no ransom was paid. | Mr Ridsdel later warned in a video released by the group that he was due to be killed on 25 April if no ransom was paid. |
The Canadian government has a policy against paying ransoms, The Globe and Mail cited a government official as saying. | |
What is Abu Sayyaf? | What is Abu Sayyaf? |
Islamic State threat in Southeast Asia | Islamic State threat in Southeast Asia |
Confirming the death of Mr Ridsdel, Mr Trudeau called it a "heinous act". | |
"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers, and this unnecessary death. This was an act of cold blooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage," he said in a statement. | |
Former mining executive | Former mining executive |
"It's hard," a friend of Mr Ridsdel, Bob Rae, told CBC News. "It's just very hard. I've been involved behind the scenes for the last six months trying to find a solution and it's been very painful." | "It's hard," a friend of Mr Ridsdel, Bob Rae, told CBC News. "It's just very hard. I've been involved behind the scenes for the last six months trying to find a solution and it's been very painful." |
A former mining executive, Mr Ridsdel is described by Canadian media as semi-retired. He also worked as a journalist. | A former mining executive, Mr Ridsdel is described by Canadian media as semi-retired. He also worked as a journalist. |
Abu Sayyaf was set up in the 1990s with funding from al-Qaeda, and is fighting for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines. | Abu Sayyaf was set up in the 1990s with funding from al-Qaeda, and is fighting for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines. |
One of its commanders recently pledged allegiance to militant group calling itself Islamic State. Abu Sayyaf is also holding several other foreigners. | One of its commanders recently pledged allegiance to militant group calling itself Islamic State. Abu Sayyaf is also holding several other foreigners. |
Eighteen Philippine soldiers were killed in clashes with the militants on Basilan island near Jolo island earlier this month. | Eighteen Philippine soldiers were killed in clashes with the militants on Basilan island near Jolo island earlier this month. |