Jun 01 2007

Alan Johnston Video Released

Category: PersonalChrisM @ 2:48 pm

Just watching BBC World, and a video of the kidnapped journalist, Alan Johnston, has been released to the media.
He stated that he had been well fed, and not physically mis-treated.
He spoke of the actions of UK & USA government around the world, and how they were causing suffering.
There was indication where or, just as importantly, when the video was made.
The video was followed by a statement from his alleged kidnappers, detailing their demands. I’m not sure if they treated the audio track, used a woman or just had a high pitched person read their statement, but it sounded quite odd.

Whatever your view on America and Britain’s role in Afghanistan, Iraq & the backing of the Israeli state, Alan himself was never afraid to report the truth, and point out the injustices in the occupied Palestinian lands.

The mere fact that proof of his survival of the kidnapping itself is a good sign, but with no sign of when it was made, it is difficult to get your hopes up too high, just yet.

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May 09 2007

Alan Johnston Kidnappers Make Their Demands

Category: In The Media,PersonalChrisM @ 8:38 pm

In what is believed to be the kidnappers first public demands, if they actually are the group responsible for abducting Alan Johnston, the ‘Army of Islam’ has released a video stating that he will not be released until the British Government releases Palestinian prisoners, inparticular Sheikh Abu Qatada from jail.
It had previously been widely rumoured, though not publicly stated, that the people who kidnapped him were an influential family with criminal ties in Palestine, who were looking for more political sway in the region. Currently, it is not known whether this tape indicates the previous rumours were incorrect, if Alan has been passed from the family to a more militant group or whether the tape is in fact genuine at all – the only ‘fresh’ evidence to support their claims is a photo of Alan’s BBC ID card.
Read more here.

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Apr 12 2007

Alan Johnston Appeal

Category: In The Media,PersonalChrisM @ 10:42 am

If you’ve watched almost any news channels in the last month, you’ll have been hard pressed to have missed seeing reports on the abduction of Alan Johnston. He is the BBC’s journalist in Palestine , and in what looks to be a world first, BBC World (BBC 24 for UK viewers), Sky News and Al Jazeera English will simultaneously be broadcasting a program to raise awareness of Alan’s plight, and will apparently feature Mark Thompson (BBC’s Director-General) directly appealing for Alan’s release.

It is due to be simulcast at 14:30 BST (13:30 GMT) today.

[update] Just heard CNN are taking part as well

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