Signs of possible al-Qaeda involvement emerged in the abduction of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, after an al-Qaeda-linked Web site posted a recorded statement from the purported Gaza kidnappers, along with his press card and new demands for his release.
Palestinian security officials said on Wednesday they believed the alleged kidnappers, the Army of Islam, may have had foreign help, but stopped short of naming al-Qaeda. It remained unclear whether the shadowy group already has al-Qaeda links, or whether it was merely trying to attract the international jihadist group's support.
Johnston, 44, was kidnapped on March 12 in Gaza City by Palestinian gunmen. He has not been heard from since, and the recording was the first public statement from a group claiming to be holding him.
The fiery, 20-minute recording from the Army of Islam demanded that the British government "release our prisoners and particularly Sheik Abu Qatada, the Palestinian" in exchange for Johnston. It showed a picture of Johnston's BBC press card _ the strongest evidence yet that the group is holding the journalist.
Abu Qatada, a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, is accused of having links to terrorist groups. He is currently awaiting deportation to Jordan from Britain.
The message did not include any signs of life from Johnston himself, couching its message in international terms. It did not mention Israel or its occupation of Palestinian territories.
"We will not sit idly watching our Muslim brothers being tortured ... inside the infidels' prisons. Thus we have managed to take the Briton Alan Johnston as a prisoner," a voice in the recording said.
The recording has generated some optimism that Johnston is still alive.
"We profoundly hope that today's news may be a sign that Alan will soon be safely released," said the BBC's deputy director-general, Mark Byford, in London.
A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office said the government wanted to review the tape before commenting on its contents.
"A video such as this is very distressing to Alan's family, friends and colleagues. We are of course in constant contact with his family and the BBC. We are looking into this as a matter of urgency, in particular we are continuing to work closely with the Palestinian Authority in order to establish the facts and to try and secure Alan's safe release," the spokeswoman said.
The recording was posted on a Web site often used by al-Qaeda and its Iraqi branch to post messages. Palestinian militants rarely use the site.
The Army of Islam, which also claims to have participated in capturing Israeli soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit in June last year in a cross-border raid, is headed by a powerful Gaza clan, the Doghmushes, widely believed responsible for several kidnappings of foreigners in Gaza. Up to now the clan's activities have been described by Palestinian officials as largely criminal.
The recording showed clear al-Qaeda elements: posted on a Web site, demands to release other suspected al-Qaeda militants, threats to kidnap more infidels — a byword for non-Muslims and Westerners.
The extent of al-Qaeda's presence in Gaza is unclear. However, Islamic extremism has taken root there, and violence is becoming common.
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