German hostage slain in Philippines

manila - In the Philippines, the Islamic terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Monday released a video that would show the beheading of a German hostage. it is understood in the circles of the German security services assumed that he is really dead.

The septuagenarian man was kidnapped in November during a sailing trip with his partner. The 59-year-old woman was killed when all right.

According to the Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay the man killed possibly because he was sick. The German government has the authenticity of the video has not yet been confirmed.

The German was captured on Jolo island in the southwest of the island state. His last live stabbing came in mid-February when he said in a video message for help. Abu Sayyaf had threatened to murder him if would be paid a ransom of 30 million Philippine pesos (about 570 000).

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said the images of the beheading ' shocking '. Further information about the kidnapping and possible payment of ransom because he could not give public statements about abductions, according to him usually do not contribute to a solution.

Abu Sayyaf has several prisoners, according to the Philippine army. One of them is the Dutchman Ewold Horn. He has been detained since early 2012.

The Abu Sayyaf rebels are active in Muslim areas of the largely Christian Philippines and have a reputation as a ruthless kidnappers.