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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| BBC man's 'killing' not verified | BBC man's 'killing' not verified |
| (1 day later) | |
| The BBC says it still has no independent verification of a claim by a Palestinian militant group that it has killed reporter Alan Johnston. | The BBC says it still has no independent verification of a claim by a Palestinian militant group that it has killed reporter Alan Johnston. |
| The corporation said it was "highly concerned" for Mr Johnston's safety and reiterated calls for his release. | The corporation said it was "highly concerned" for Mr Johnston's safety and reiterated calls for his release. |
| On Sunday, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston. | On Sunday, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston. |
| BBC colleagues have rallied for Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. | BBC colleagues have rallied for Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. |
| His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried and have appealed for anyone with information about their son to make contact. | His parents, Graham and Margaret, say they are desperately worried and have appealed for anyone with information about their son to make contact. |
| ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 Timeline: Alan Johnston missing Journalists have rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston, as public campaigns to secure his release continue. | ALAN JOHNSTON Born in Lindi, Tanzania, on 17 May 1962BBC Kabul correspondent from 1997 to 1998BBC Gaza correspondent from April 2004 Timeline: Alan Johnston missing Journalists have rallied in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in support of Mr Johnston, as public campaigns to secure his release continue. |
| Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist, who was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. | Dozens of demonstrators held portraits of the journalist, who was seized at gunpoint in Gaza City on 12 March. |
| Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels. | Others gathered outside the European Commission building in Brussels. |
| BBC rallies | BBC rallies |
| BBC colleagues held a vigil at London's Television Centre, in Birmingham and at Bush House, home of the World Service. | BBC colleagues held a vigil at London's Television Centre, in Birmingham and at Bush House, home of the World Service. |
| The corporation's Director General Mark Thompson said the BBC was still seeking clarification of the reporter's condition. | The corporation's Director General Mark Thompson said the BBC was still seeking clarification of the reporter's condition. |
| He praised Mr Johnston's family, calling the wait for news "agonising" for them. | He praised Mr Johnston's family, calling the wait for news "agonising" for them. |
| Earlier, in a statement, the BBC said it could not confirm the claims by the Tawhid and Jihad (Holy War and Unity) brigades, describing the story as a rumour without verification. | Earlier, in a statement, the BBC said it could not confirm the claims by the Tawhid and Jihad (Holy War and Unity) brigades, describing the story as a rumour without verification. |
| There have been worldwide calls for Alan Johnston's release"We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," it said. | There have been worldwide calls for Alan Johnston's release"We continue to be highly concerned for [Alan Johnston's] safety and are demanding urgent clarification from the Palestinian and British authorities," it said. |
| The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made its claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported execution to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. | The Tawhid and Jihad brigades made its claim in an email to media organisations, linking Mr Johnston's purported execution to the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. |
| A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was investigating the reports. | A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was investigating the reports. |
| "We are working closely with the Palestinian Authority and are urgently seeking information from them and other sources," he said. | "We are working closely with the Palestinian Authority and are urgently seeking information from them and other sources," he said. |
| 'Worrying time' | 'Worrying time' |
| In the latest of almost daily demonstrations in the wake of Mr Johnston's abduction, journalists gathered outside the Lebanese Press Syndicate building in Beirut to press for his release. | In the latest of almost daily demonstrations in the wake of Mr Johnston's abduction, journalists gathered outside the Lebanese Press Syndicate building in Beirut to press for his release. |
| It's very important to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his job Diana MoukalledLebanese TV reporter "We would like to appeal today to whoever is holding [Alan Johnston] to release him today unharmed," the BBC's Beirut correspondent, Kim Ghattas, told media. | It's very important to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his job Diana MoukalledLebanese TV reporter "We would like to appeal today to whoever is holding [Alan Johnston] to release him today unharmed," the BBC's Beirut correspondent, Kim Ghattas, told media. |
| Our correspondent said that before his abduction Mr Johnston had continued to do his job professionally, despite the risks. | |
| But, more than a month since his abduction, there was concern about Mr Johnston's mental health and physical state, she said. | But, more than a month since his abduction, there was concern about Mr Johnston's mental health and physical state, she said. |
| Another demonstrator, Lebanese TV reporter Diana Moukalled, said it was very important "to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his job". | Another demonstrator, Lebanese TV reporter Diana Moukalled, said it was very important "to show our solidarity with any colleague that's harmed because of his job". |
| Earlier, Mr Johnston's parents Graham and Margaret Johnston issued a statement, saying it was a "desperately worrying time". | Earlier, Mr Johnston's parents Graham and Margaret Johnston issued a statement, saying it was a "desperately worrying time". |
| They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza." | They added: "We make a heartfelt appeal to anyone who may have knowledge of Alan's situation and well-being to contact the authorities in Gaza." |
| Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. | Mr Johnston, from Scotland, joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. |
| He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. | He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. |
| His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. | His posting in Gaza had been due to end in late March. |