Jordan to execute al-Qaeda prisoner after killing of pilot

A security official said Jordan will execute an al-Qaeda prisoner at dawn on Wednesday, just hours after authorities confirmed that Islamic State militants killed a captured Jordanian pilot.

A video the group released late Tuesday purportedly shows the pilot being burned alive in a cage. Jordan vowed a swift and lethal response to what it called a “barbaric act.”

Jordan had offered to swap the al-Qaeda prisoner, Sajida al-Rishawi, for the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh. However, the militants did not deliver proof he was still alive.

A Jordanian security official said al-Rishawi is to be executed at dawn. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the issue with the media.

Before dawn, a convoy was seen leaving Juweideh prison where al-Rishawi had been held. The convoy arrived at Swaqa prison, where executions have been carried out in the past.

Source