US won't prosecute hostages' families who pay ransom
The Obama administration will make clear that families of Americans held by terror groups will not be prosecuted if they pay ransoms, part of a broad review of US hostage policy that will be released Wednesday.
President Barack Obama ordered the review after the deaths of Americans held hostage by Islamic State militants. The families of some of those killed complained about their dealings with the Obama administration, saying they were threatened with criminal prosecution if they pursued paying ransom in exchange for their loved ones' release. Two people familiar with the review said there will be no formal change to the law, which explicitly bars providing money to groups the US considers terror organizations. However, the administration will make clear that the Justice Department has never prosecuted anyone for paying ransom and that that will continue to be the case.
