Jordan’s governing authorities agreed Wednesday to release a convicted terrorist in exchange for the Islamic State’s freeing of an air force pilot who has been held captive in Syria for a month.
The exchange deal comes just minutes before a deadline to execute the pilot — who’s being held along with a Japanese journalist — was to expire, The New York Times reported. The deal didn’t speak of the fate of the Japanese journalist.
“Jordan confirms that it is complete prepared to release the prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi if Moaz al-Kasasbeh is released and his life is intact,” the statement from the government said, The New York Times reported.
The air force pilot’s father had just pleaded with King Abdullah II of Jordan to make a deal that would free a female suicide bomber in exchange for the release of his son, the newspaper said.
Ms. Rishawi was one of four suicide bombers who helped kill more than 57 people during an attack on three hotels in Amman. Her bomb vest didn’t detonate and she was captured and sentenced to death.
The deal comes on the heels of a massive demonstration against the Jordan government that started Tuesday evening and continued into the morning.
“Who is Sajida to us? Sajida is a burden on us, let them release her,” the elder Mr. Kasasbeh said, during the demonstration, the New York Times reported. “I am asking for the release of Sajida and all the prisoners and the return of Moaz to us. Keeping her in prison is a burden on us.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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