"I would like to ensure that I am not a member of the Islamic State group (IS), not even a supporter," Kosuke Tsuneoka said in a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
"The fact is that I was in the middle of covering the battle to retake Mosul and I handed over the bag which contained the keychain featuring the IS symbol at the security checkpoint at the Presidential press conference. I think this shows nothing but my stupidity, and I am very remorseful about that," the freelance journalist explained.
Tsuneoka was detained by Kurdish authorities on Mount Zartik on October 27, the Kurdistan Region Security Council stated in a press release on Monday when they announced he had been handed over to Japanese authorities.
“An investigation by our Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) found he was in contact with ISIL members through his smartphone,” the statement read.
Tsuneoka apologized for the anxiety and worry his detention had caused. “I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who had been worried for me,” he added.
Kurdish President Masoud Barzani had given a press conference on the Khazir front on October 27 where he announced that Bashiqa had fallen out of ISIS control.
from Rudaw http://rudaw.net/english/world/10112016
via Defense News
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