Philippine army finds body of beheaded German hostage

IANS  |  Manila 

The body of a German hostage beheaded by Abu Sayyaf militants in the this week has been recovered, according to military officials.

Jurgen Kantner was abducted from his yacht in November and his body was retrieved on the island of Sulu and will be returned to Germany, the BBC reported on Sunday citing the officials as saying.

Kantner's companion, Sabine Merz, was found shot dead aboard their abandoned yacht.

The couple were cruising off Malaysia's Sabah state when the militants intercepted them, the Filipino military said.

Last month, a video was posted showing the beheading of Kantner by a knife-wielding man.

The German Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was "deeply shocked by the inhuman and gruesome act".

Abu Sayyaf is one of the smallest and most violent extremist groups in the Philippines, known for its brutality, including beheadings.

It has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Philippine army finds body of beheaded German hostage

The body of a German hostage beheaded by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines this week has been recovered, according to military officials.

The body of a German hostage beheaded by Abu Sayyaf militants in the this week has been recovered, according to military officials.

Jurgen Kantner was abducted from his yacht in November and his body was retrieved on the island of Sulu and will be returned to Germany, the BBC reported on Sunday citing the officials as saying.

Kantner's companion, Sabine Merz, was found shot dead aboard their abandoned yacht.

The couple were cruising off Malaysia's Sabah state when the militants intercepted them, the Filipino military said.

Last month, a video was posted showing the beheading of Kantner by a knife-wielding man.

The German Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was "deeply shocked by the inhuman and gruesome act".

Abu Sayyaf is one of the smallest and most violent extremist groups in the Philippines, known for its brutality, including beheadings.

It has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

image
Business Standard
177 22