 It contains no new pictures of Mr Johnston, but shows a picture of his BBC ID card. The tape includes a demand for the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails, and readings from the Koran. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized in Gaza City on 12 March. He had been on his way home when he was taken at gunpoint. The tape was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). The BBC has released a statement: "We are aware of the tape released by the Army of Islam concerning our Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston. We have no comment on the demands made of the British government in the tape - we remain concerned for Alan's well-being and call for his immediate release." Specific demand The tape does include one specific demand, the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security. Until now, the kidnappers have not made their demands public or made any contact with the media. In April, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston, though that claim could not be verified. The Palestinian government says it has received information that Mr Johnston is alive, and is working for his release. The BBC's World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says that not much is known about The Army of Islam, but that it is a known Palestinian group. He adds that if the tape is authentic, then it does represent a development in the lengthiest kidnapping of a Westerner to take place in Gaza. Diplomacy News of the tape emerged hours after a senior UK diplomat held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya as part of the effort to secure Mr Johnston's release. Consul-General Richard Makepeace, who is based in Jerusalem, said Mr Johnston's continued captivity remained of "great concern" to the UK. There have been high-level appeals for his freedom, including from Tony Blair and the United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon. Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.
Story from BBC NEWS: Published: 2007/05/09 08:16:31 GMT © BBC MMVII back to news headlines |