They might kill the hostages as a result of this. “As for the captives, the amir [ruler] has the choice of taking the most beneficial action of four possibilities: the first to put them to death by cutting their necks; the second, to enslave them and apply the laws of slavery regarding their sale and manumission; the third, to ransom them in exchange for goods or prisoners; and fourth, to show favor to them and pardon them. Allah, may he be exalted, says, ‘When you encounter those [infidels] who deny [the Truth=Islam] then strike [their] necks’ (Qur’an sura 47, verse 4)” — Al-Mawardi, al-Ahkam as-Sultaniyyah, (The Laws of Islamic Governance).
“Taliban accuses France over kidnapped journalists,” from AFP, January 1:
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) – The Taliban said Saturday that France had “not paid much attention” to their demands for securing the release of two French journalists held captive for more than a year.
Herve Ghesquiere and Stephane Taponier, a reporter and a cameraman working for France 3, were kidnapped with three Afghan colleagues in December last year.
“We presented our conditions and demands even one year ago to the French government… They are very simple and easy conditions,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.
“But unfortunately they have not paid much attention to our conditions and the rights of their citizens.”…