Alan Johnston
צילום: איי פי
BBC calls for 'immediate release' of reporter
UK news outlet says it is 'aware of Army of Islam video concerning our Gaza correspondent,' adds it remains concerned
The BBC has called for the "immediate release" of its kidnapped Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston in a statement it sent to Ynetnews.
Earlier, the Gaza-based Jeish al-Islam (Army of Islam) group had reportedly sent a video containing footage of Johnston's identity card to the al-Jazeera Arabic news network.
One of the demands allegedly made in the video was for the British government to release Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-Jordanian al-Qaeda operative in UK custody awaiting extradition to Jordan.
"We are aware of the tape released by the Army of Islam," the BBC statement said, adding: "We have no comment on the demands made of the British government in the tape. We remain concerned for Alan's wellbeing and call for his immediate release.
Qatada is commonly known as 'al-Qaeda's ambassador to Europe,' and is said to have played a key role in terrorist plots in Western Europe.
He is reported to have provided counsel to Richard Reid, the failed 'shoe bomber' who attempted to blow up a transatlantic passenger jet, as well as to Zacarius Moussaoui, the only member of the 9/11 al-Qaeda cell to stand trial in the US.
