President Barack Obama cleared the way Wednesday for families of American hostages to pay ransom to secure their loved ones' release, despite a long-standing U.S. ban on making concessions to terrorist groups.
As part of a six-month review of hostage policies, the White House said it "does not intend to add to families' pain in such cases by suggesting that they could face criminal prosecution."
There will be no change to the law banning material support for terrorists, but the Justice Department indicated it would not hold families accountable if they pursue ransom payments.
The U.S. government will continue to uphold this "no concessions" policy, but officials can help families communicate with hostage-takers, either through direct contact with terrorist groups or using intermediaries.
"These efforts will be focused on ensuring the safety and security of a family to prevent them from being defrauded or further victimized by a hostage-taker," the White House said in a fact sheet. "In short, we will not abandon families in their greatest time of need."
Obama ordered the hostage policy review last year amid criticism from families who complained about threats of prosecution, as well as sparse, confusing and sometimes contradictory information from the government.
The most vocal families were those whose loved ones were killed in recent months while being held by the Islamic State, al-Qaida and other groups.
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