Chinese reportedly held hostage by Islamic State is advertising man, reads Greek philosophy

BEIJING – A Chinese man reportedly held hostage by the Islamic State group worked in advertising and TV production and describes himself as a free spirit and reader of Greek philosophy.

The radical group released a poster on Wednesday with an image of the man, identified as Fan Jinghui, and the address of an advertising company registered by him in Beijing. The group also announced the capture of a Norwegian and demanded a ransom for both.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday that authorities are still verifying the identity of the Chinese hostage. But the Sohu news portal reported that Fan was interviewed in 2001 by China National Radio. In the interview, he said Greek philosophers motivated him to pursue freedom.