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Palestinian militants claim responsibility for BBC reporter's kidnapping
In a recording, the group demanded the release of Muslim prisoners in Britain in exchange for Alan Johnston's freedom.
A Palestinian militant group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, and is demanding the release of Muslim prisoners being held in Britain in exchange for his freedom.
Al Jazeera reports that it received a recording, purportedly from the group Jaish al-Islam, or Army of Islam, which claims responsibility for the kidnapping of Mr. Johnston in March.
In the tape, the group said: "We demand from Britain that it release our prisoners and particularly Sheikh Abu Qatada the Palestinian and in this regard we do not forget our prisoners in other infidel countries and we say to all of them free our prisoners or we will do the same to you.
"We won't make an exception for anyone. If you need money to release our prisoners we will give you all you need up to the last dirham we have."
Johnston is believed to have been kidnapped at gunpoint as he returned home from work March 12. At the time, Johnston was the only Western reporter permanently based in the Gaza Strip, where he has lived for three years.
The BBC writes that the material it received included an image of Johnston's press ID card, which the news organization is investigating. The BBC adds that Jaish al-Islam is a "known Palestinian group," and is thought to be one of three groups responsible for the kidnapping of Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit last summer. The BBC also released this statement regarding the tape:
"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."
The press-freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders also released a statement calling for Johnston's release. "Journalists must not be used as bargaining chips," the statement said. "The Gaza Strip risks being completely abandoned by journalists. Most foreign news organisation[s] are already strongly advising their correspondents not to go there."
Agence France-Presse writes that a spokesman for Hamas condemned the actions of Jaish al-Islam, and said that Hamas no longer had ties with the organization.
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