Video released with demands for exchange of BBC correspondent
<noinclude>
{{date|May 9, 2007}}
{{Palestine}}
[[Image:Alan johnston bbc.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Alan Johnston in an undated BBC photo]]
The Arabic news television channel, [[Al-Jazeera]] has reported that it has received a tape apparently from the kidnappers of [[w:BBC|BBC]] Gaza Correspondent [[Alan Johnston]], a citizen of the [[United Kingdom]].

The film contains no pictures of Mr. Johnston, but it shows a picture of Johnston's BBC ID card. The tape includes demands for the release of [[Islam|Muslims]] held in British jails and also readings from the [[w:Qur'an|Koran]]. 

Alan Johnston was kidnapped on March 12, 2007 and has been held for over 8 weeks, the longest time for any foreigner in the [[w:Gaza Strip|Gaza Strip]]. The tape was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself [[w:Palestinian Army of Islam|Jaish al-Islam]] (Army of Islam).

In response to this video, the BBC has said:
{{cquote|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 tape does, however, have a specific demand - the demand being the release of [[w:Abu Qatada|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. 

== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Palestinian group claims murder of BBC reporter|date=April 15, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=BBC correspondent missing|date=March 12, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6637507.stm
|title=Demands issued on Johnston tape 
|author= 
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=May 9, 2007}} 
*{{source|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20070509/tuk-bbc-studies-tape-from-johnston-kidna-45dbed5.html
|title=BBC Studies Tape From Johnston Kidnappers
|author=Sky News
|pub=Yahoo! News
|date=May 9, 2007}}

{{Publish}}

{{Archived}}
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Alan Johnston]]
[[Category:Abu Qatada]]
[[Category:Palestine]]



</noinclude>
Alan Johnston in an undated BBC photo
The Arabic news television channel, Al-Jazeera has reported that it has received a tape apparently from the kidnappers of BBC Gaza Correspondent Alan Johnston, a citizen of the United Kingdom.

The film contains no pictures of Mr. Johnston, but it shows a picture of Johnston's BBC ID card. The tape includes demands for the release of Muslims held in British jails and also readings from the Koran. 

Alan Johnston was kidnapped on March 12, 2007 and has been held for over 8 weeks, the longest time for any foreigner in the Gaza Strip. The tape was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam).

In response to this video, the BBC has said:


The tape does, however, have a specific demand - the demand being 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.
Politics and conflicts Middle East Alan Johnston Abu Qatada Palestine