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BBC checks 'Alan Johnston tape' Demands issued on Johnston tape
(about 1 hour later)
The al-Jazeera news channel has received a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of the BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. The al-Jazeera Arabic news channel has received a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of the BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
It includes certain demands and shows pictures, including one apparently of Mr Johnston's BBC identity card. It contains no new pictures of Mr Johnston, but shows a picture of his BBC ID card.
It was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (The Army of Islam). The tape includes a demand for the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails, and readings from the Koran.
The BBC said it was investigating the contents of the tape. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized in Gaza City on 12 March. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized in Gaza City on 12 March. He had been on his way home when he was taken at gunpoint.
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).
'Decent man' 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.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.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 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.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.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.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 the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. There have been high-level appeals for his freedom, including from Tony Blair and the United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon.
On Monday, United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour called on the captors to release "this very decent man".
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.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.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.