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Algerian Islamists threaten to execute hostage unless France halts Isis attacks Algerian Islamists threaten to execute hostage unless France halts Isis attacks
(about 2 hours later)
A splinter group that claims to be linked to the militant group Islamic State (Isis) released a video on Monday night of a French tourist abducted on Sunday while on holiday in Algeria. The unidentified group has threatened to execute him unless France halts air strikes on Isis positions in Iraq. A splinter group that claims links to the militant group Islamic State (Isis) released a video on Monday night of a French tourist abducted on Sunday while on holiday in Algeria. The group has threatened to execute him unless France halts air strikes on Isis positions in Iraq. The French foreign ministry confirmed the authenticity of the video and identified the hostage as 55-year-old Hervé Gourdel.
The 55-year-old man was reportedly snatched while walking in the mountainous region of Kabylie, near the capital, Algiers. The French government said on Monday evening that it was not clear whether the man had been kidnapped by bandits or Islamic fundamentalists. Gourdel was reportedly snatched while walking in the mountainous region of Kabylie, near the capital, Algiers. The French government said it was not clear whether the man had been kidnapped by bandits or Islamic fundamentalists.
In the video the man said he was being held by the “Soldiers of the Caliphate”, a group affiliated to Isis. The kidnappers said they would kill him unless France ended its involvement in the coalition against Isis. In the video, the man said he was being held by the “Soldiers of the Caliphate”, a group affiliated to Isis. The kidnappers said they would kill him unless France ended its involvement in the coalition against Isis. Last week France joined the United States in air strikes against positions held in Iraq by the extremists.
Last week France joined the United States in air strikes against positions held in Iraq by the Islamist extremists. The hostage was filmed sitting between two armed and masked men. He delivered a short message to France’s president, François Hollande. “This armed group has asked me to demand that you do not intervene in Iraq. They are holding me hostage. I beg you, Monsieur Président, to do all in your power to get me out of here,” he said.
The French hostage was filmed sitting between two armed and masked men. He delivered a short message to France’s president, François Hollande. “This armed group has asked me to demand that you do not intervene in Iraq. They are holding me hostage. I beg you, monsieur president, to do all in your power to get me out of here,” he said. Gourdel, reported to be a mountain guide from Nice, was said to have arrived a few days before on a tourist visa. He had rented a chalet at Tikjda, 75 miles (120km) east of the capital, with Algerian friends. He was hiking with two others and had spent the night at a ski lodge near Tikjda.
The French foreign ministry said on Monday night that it was unable to verify the authenticity of the video. The man, reported to be a mountain guide from Nice, was said to have arrived a few days before he was kidnapped and had a tourist visa. He had reportedly rented a chalet at Tikjda, 75 miles (120km) east of the capital, with Algerian friends. He was hiking with two other people and had spent the night at a ski lodge near Tikjda. “Everything is being done to find our compatriot. All our services are being mobilised to that end, and no theory is ruled out. We are in constant contact with the Algerian authorities, who are cooperating and supporting our inquiry,” said the French foreign ministry.
“Everything is being done to find our compatriot. All of our services are being mobilised to that end, and no theory is ruled out. We are in constant contact with the Algerian authorities, who are cooperating and supporting our inquiry,” said the French foreign ministry. Hours before the kidnapping, Isis called on its supporters to kill civilians, namely Americans, French, and “their allies”.
The kidnapping came just hours before Isis called on supporters to kill civilians, namely Americans, French and “their allies”.
Since 2005, about 80 Algerians have been kidnapped in Kabylie by groups demanding a ransom. Most of those who were abducted for extortion were later freed by Algerian security forces.Since 2005, about 80 Algerians have been kidnapped in Kabylie by groups demanding a ransom. Most of those who were abducted for extortion were later freed by Algerian security forces.
On Monday France’s interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said: “France isn’t afraid [of Isis], because it’s not the first time we’ve been threatened, and we are prepared to respond to their threats. France’s interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said: “France isn’t afraid [of Isis], because it’s not the first time we’ve been threatened, and we are prepared to respond to their threats. Even if there is no such thing as a zero risk, we’re taking 100% precautions. The government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens.
“Even if there is no such thing as a zero risk, we’re taking 100% precautions. The government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens.” “This threat to kill civilians, added to the execution of hostages and to the massacres, is yet another demonstration of the barbarity of these terrorists, justifying our fight without truce or pause.”
Cazeneuve added: “This threat to kill civilians, added to the execution of hostages and to the massacres, is yet another demonstration of the barbarity of these terrorists, justifying our fight without truce or pause.”
Algeria has been battling Islamist militants since the 1990s and in recent years has confined them to a few mountainous regions in the north of the country and in the Sahara desert in the extreme south.Algeria has been battling Islamist militants since the 1990s and in recent years has confined them to a few mountainous regions in the north of the country and in the Sahara desert in the extreme south.