White House Considering Major Changes In U.S. Ransom Policy For Hostages Overseas

ABC News: Potential Shift in Hostage Policy: Officials to Recommend Families Be Free to Pay Ransom

Families of American hostages who communicate with foreign kidnappers or raise money and pay ransoms will no longer have to fear prosecution for aiding terrorist groups, a White House-ordered advisory group on U.S. hostage policy is expected to recommend, senior officials told ABC News last week.

"There will be absolutely zero chance of any family member of an American held hostage overseas ever facing jail themselves, or even the threat of prosecution, for trying to free their loved ones," said one of three senior officials familiar with the hostage policy team's ongoing review.

More News On The White House Considering Major Changes In U.S. Ransom Policy For Hostages Overseas

Official: White House Likely to Create Hostage Family Engagement Team -- ABC News
U.S. mulls ransom policy for families of overseas hostages: ABC TV -- Reuters
Report: US Considering Major Change in Ransom Policy for Hostages -- VOA
Report: Officials to recommend families be free to pay ransom to terrorists -- The Hill
White House to stop prosecution of families who pay terror ransoms, report claims -- Daily Mail
New Policy Will Reportedly Allow Families of U.S. Hostages to Pay Ransom -- Slate