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25/06/2007
Kidnapped BBC reporter in 'bomb belt' video
Kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnson has been shown wearing what appears to be an explosives vest in a video posted on the internet by his captors.
In the video, Mr Johnson warned that the explosives would be detonated if any attempt was made to free him by force.
Speaking on the tape, Mr Johnson said that the situation was "very serious". He said: "I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there was any attempt to storm this area.
"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."
Mr Johnson was abducted by a group calling itself The Army of Islam from a street in Gaza City on March 12.
A video of Mr Johnson was released on June 1 in which the reporter said that he was being treated well and was in good health.
Mr Johnson's father Graham released a statement following the release of the second video. It said: "My family and I are obviously most concerned and distressed at this latest development.
"Our thoughts are, of course, with Alan in his present predicament. We earnestly request his abductors to release Alan, unharmed in any way."
The BBC also released a statement, calling for Mr Johnson to be released. The statement said: "We are aware of the video and its contents. It is very distressing for his 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. We are keeping his family informed and offering them our continued support."
(KMcA)
In the video, Mr Johnson warned that the explosives would be detonated if any attempt was made to free him by force.
Speaking on the tape, Mr Johnson said that the situation was "very serious". He said: "I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there was any attempt to storm this area.
"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."
Mr Johnson was abducted by a group calling itself The Army of Islam from a street in Gaza City on March 12.
A video of Mr Johnson was released on June 1 in which the reporter said that he was being treated well and was in good health.
Mr Johnson's father Graham released a statement following the release of the second video. It said: "My family and I are obviously most concerned and distressed at this latest development.
"Our thoughts are, of course, with Alan in his present predicament. We earnestly request his abductors to release Alan, unharmed in any way."
The BBC also released a statement, calling for Mr Johnson to be released. The statement said: "We are aware of the video and its contents. It is very distressing for his 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. We are keeping his family informed and offering them our continued support."
(KMcA)
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A British freelance journalist who was kidnapped in southern Iraq last night has been released, it has emerged today. James Brandon, a 23-year-old freelancer with the Sunday Telegraph, was taken from his Basrah hotel room at gunpoint last night. Around 30 militants forced their way into his hotel at around 11pm local time (7pm GMT).
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