Militants behead German hostage in Philippines

Abu Sayyaf militants in southern Philippines beheaded a German hostage after the deadline passed to pay his ransom passed.

A video posted by the Philippines-based Islamist extremist group Abu Sayyaf and distributed by SITE Intelligence Group identifies the man as Jurgen Kantner, who has been held captive since November, reports CNN.

A German official said the government was still checking the video's authenticity.

The group had demanded 30 million Philippine pesos ($600,000) in exchange for Kantner's release, setting a deadline of February 26.

The beheading comes in the backdrop of the Philippine government waging a war against Abu Sayyaf, based in the country's far south region.

 

Abu Sayyaf is a violent extremist group of some 200 to 400 members that is largely fragmented.

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, but the southern region has historically had a large Muslim population.