ISIS had demanded Rishawi's release as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Jordanian authorities for Lt. Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, who was captured by ISIS militants after his plane was shot down late December, 2014 in Syria. 
Hapo awali, ISIS walitaka Rishawi aachiwe kama sehemu ya makubaliano na serikali ya Jordan na ISIS ya kumwachia Luteni Muath Al-Kaseasbeh, ambaye alikamatwa na askari wa ISIS mara baada ya ndege yake kutunguliwa mnamo tarehe 3 Desemba, 2014 nchini Syria.