Gaza City, Gaza Strip – A video recording released today shows kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnston wearing an apparent explosives belt of the type suicide bombers use and warning that it will be detonated if an attempt is made to free him by force.
The video, about one minute, 42 seconds long, was posted on a website that has been used by militant groups in the past. It opens with the title “Alan’s Appeal” in English and Arabic and features the logo of the Army of Islam, a shadowy group that has claimed responsibility for snatching Johnston, a British Broadcasting Corp. correspondent.
“Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping,” Johnston says in the recording, looking nervous and stressed. “And the situation is now very serious, as you can see.”
Johnston is seen wearing a red sweater with a blue and white checked vest strapped around his body – the apparent bomb belt.
“I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the area,” he continues. “They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force.”
The BBC said in a statement on its website that it is “very distressing for Alan’s family and colleagues to see him being threatened in this way.”
“We ask those holding Alan to avoid him being harmed by releasing him immediately,” it said.
Since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip earlier this month, its leaders have been saying Johnston’s release was imminent. They have indicated they know where he is but have not moved in for fear of harming him.
Mahmoud Zahar, a hard-line Hamas leader, said Saturday that Johnston’s captors were hesitant to release him, fearing retaliation after he is freed. He said Hamas is trying to convince the group that it would not be targeted if Johnston is handed over, even providing “written guarantees.”
Johnston was seized from a Gaza street March 12. His captors have previously said they want a Palestinian militant jailed in Britain to be released in exchange for Johnston.
