Pirates let sailor go; jihadists killed him
PHILIPPINES: A 70-year-old German sailor captured in November by Isis-linked extremists after they boarded his yacht off the southern Philippines has been beheaded.
Jurgen Kantner was murdered by a member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group after a deadline for a £480,000 (NZ$831,000) ransom payment expired.
The killing, apparently on Sunday afternoon, came after the Philippine military had launched an offensive against Abu Sayyaf in an attempt to rescue him.
His wife, Sabine Merz, 59, was shot dead when the terrorists seized the couple’s yacht, the Rockall.
Kantner was in two recent videos appealing for the German government to pay for his release.
The couple, who had lived aboard their boat for three decades, were kidnapped by Somali pirates nine years ago and Kantner was subjected to a mock execution before being released for a reported six-figure sum.
The German government was suspected of being involved in those negotiations, but yesterday it refused to discuss its hostage policy.
After his release by the Somali pirates Kantner said the threat of another kidnapping would not discourage him from sailing.
‘‘My boat is my life and I do not want to lose her. I do not care about pirates and governments.‘‘
He said that he could not afford another kidnapping after the ransom paid to the Somali pirates.
‘‘I really hope the pirates do not catch me because this time no-one will pay’’. – The Times