Kidnapped priest threatened with crucifixion by ISIS is 'ALIVE and will be released soon'
A CATHOLIC priest who was kidnapped by Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists is still alive and could soon be free - despite claims he had been CRUCIFIED.
Indian reports say Fr Tom Uzhunnalil is still alive
Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured by Daesh fighters from an Old People’s home in Aden, Yemen, last month.
And it was claimed the sick death cult had executed him by crucifixion on Good Friday .
But the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) said a delegation met Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who said the government was working to secure the priest's safe return.
ISIS jihadists attacked an old people's home in Aden, Yemen
Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon
Father Joseph Chinnaiyan, the deputy secretary of the CBCI, said: ”She has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon."
Media reports last week said the Indian priest was killed by ISIS militants over Easter.
However, no terror group has claimed responsibility for last month's attack where Father Uzhunnalil was kidnapped.
Father Tom Uzhunnalil
During the attack gunmen killed four Indian nuns, two Yemeni female staff members, eight elderly residents and a guard.
Last week it was claimed that ISIS had sent a video demanding a seven-figure ransom in return for Father Uzhunnalil’s safe return.
In the aftermath the Indian government said it was "making all efforts" to secure the release of the Catholic priest.
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It came after Bishop Paul Hinder, of Southern Arabia, a region in Saudi Arabia, said there were "strong indications that Father Tom is still alive in the hands of the kidnappers".
Aden, where Father Uzhunnalil was captured, has been racked by lawlessness since Hadi supporters, backed by Gulf Arab military forces, drove fighters of the Iran-allied Houthi group from the city in July last year.
International aid groups have pulled most of their foreign staff from Yemen due to security concerns.
A total of 15 people were killed in the attack on the refuge run by the Missionaries of Charity on March 4.